Few treats bring back as many warm memories as Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies. With their crispy edges, chewy centers, and pools of melty chocolate, these beloved cookies are comfort food in its purest, most nostalgic form. Whether you’re an avid baker or a total beginner, there’s just something magical about the way a tray of Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies makes your kitchen smell—and the way one bite makes you feel instantly at home.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in the simplicity and quality of the ingredients. Each ingredient plays its part, creating that irresistible chewy, gooey, golden cookie that everyone craves.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cookies—be sure to weigh or spoon and level for the best-textured cookies.
Baking soda: Gives these cookies their slight lift and signature chewy texture.
Baking powder: A touch here promotes a lightness, balancing the cookie’s density.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings balance to the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (room temperature): The backbone of the cookie’s rich flavor and tender texture.
Light brown sugar (packed): Infuses sweet, molasses-y depth and perfect chewiness.
Granulated sugar: Adds crispness to the edges and that classic cookie sweetness.
Eggs (room temperature): Binds everything together, ensuring a moist, rich dough.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a fragrant, sweet aroma.
Chocolate chips and/or chunks: The star of the show, offering melty, bittersweet goodness in every bite.
Coarse salt (optional, for topping): For extra contrast and a bakery-style finish, a sprinkle on top works wonders.

How to Make Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, the sweet spot for that perfect cookie texture. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper if you like easy cleanup—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when there’s no sticky residue to scrub off.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This quick step ensures your cookies bake up evenly, with every bite tasting balanced and just right.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Beat the room temperature butter together with the brown and granulated sugars for about two minutes. The mixture will get light and fluffy, which is your secret weapon for cookies with that melt-in-your-mouth bite and just the right amount of crispiness on the edges.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, followed by the vanilla extract. This not only flavors the dough but helps achieve that beautifully smooth, even batter that bakes up perfectly every time.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on a low speed or stirring gently by hand. Stop once no dry streaks remain—over-mixing can make your Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies tough instead of tender!

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in all those glorious chocolate chips and chunks. If you’re feeling extra, reserve a few chips to press into the tops of your dough balls—this trick ensures every cookie gets some melty chocolate love on top.

Step 7: Portion and Bake

Scoop out balls of dough, setting them at least two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Depending on your preference, you’ll end up with about 16 large or 24 smaller Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look a bit soft for that ideal texture.

Step 8: The Finishing Touch

If you like your cookies with a little gourmet flair, sprinkle on some coarse salt as soon as they come out of the oven—it really makes the chocolate flavors pop! After a few minutes, move your cookies to a cooling rack and dig in while they’re still a little warm and gooey.

How to Serve Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

A light sprinkle of coarse sea salt right after baking gives these Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies both visual appeal and a flavor boost. You can also add a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate for an extra-special touch.

Side Dishes

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are fantastic alongside a cold glass of milk, but if you want to step it up, try pairing them with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for a dreamy dessert plate. Hot coffee or rich hot chocolate also complements their sweet, chocolaty charm.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few cookies with parchment squares in between and tie with a ribbon for the perfect homemade gift. For parties, serve them on a rustic wood board with small bowls of flavored spreads or dips (like hazelnut cream or caramel). You can even crumble them over ice cream for a quick cookie sundae.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow manage to have Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies left over, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for about 4 days—just stick a slice of bread in the container to prevent them from drying out.

Freezing

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies freeze beautifully. For baked cookies, let them cool completely before freezing in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. If you want freshly-baked cookies any time, freeze the portioned dough balls and bake straight from the freezer (just add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time).

Reheating

To bring that fresh-from-the-oven warmth back, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or warm them briefly in a low oven. The chocolate turns wonderfully gooey and the cookies regain their irresistible softness.

FAQs

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chips?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate brings a more intense, less sweet flavor to Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies, and it pairs especially well with a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Too-warm butter or not enough flour can lead to spreading. Make sure your butter is just at room temperature and your flour is measured properly. Chilling your dough for 20–30 minutes before baking can also help keep cookies thick and chewy.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie dough actually benefits from a rest in the fridge—chilling the dough for even a few hours deepens the flavor and improves texture. Just scoop and bake as usual.

What’s the best way to get cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers?

For the iconic texture, bake until the edges look golden and set, but the centers still seem a touch underdone—they’ll finish setting as they cool. This method keeps the centers soft and chewy while the edges get nice and crisp.

Can I make Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies gluten-free?

You sure can! Substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour mix for the all-purpose flour, and follow the rest of the recipe as usual. The results are usually just as tasty and satisfying.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like pulling a tray of Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies from the oven and sharing them with friends or family. They’re simple yet utterly magical—so I hope you give this recipe a try soon and let a little bit of cookie joy fill your kitchen!