Baking chocolate chip cookies has always been one of my favorite kitchen activities. There’s something comforting about the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house.
In this post, I’ll share my step-by-step guide to making soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and yields delicious results every time.
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy and well-blended.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed.
- Drop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Serve and enjoy your homemade chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk!
Tips:
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them.
- For crispier cookies, bake them a little longer until they are more golden brown.
- You can experiment with different types of chocolate chips (dark, milk, white) or add other mix-ins like dried fruit or coconut flakes.
What’s the best way to make sure my cookies are soft and chewy
To ensure your chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy, follow these tips:
- Use Brown Sugar: Brown sugar contains more moisture than white sugar, which helps keep cookies soft. Using a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar will enhance chewiness.
- Do Not Overbake: Bake the cookies until they are just set and the edges are golden brown. They might look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out of the oven, but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool.
- Add an Extra Egg Yolk: Egg yolks add richness and moisture. Adding an extra egg yolk to your dough can help make the cookies chewier.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps the cookies spread less and keeps them thicker and chewier.
- Use Bread Flour: Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, which can help create a chewier texture.
- Do Not Overmix: Overmixing the dough can incorporate too much air, making the cookies cakey. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Store Properly: Store the baked cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help keep the cookies soft by maintaining moisture.
- Underbake Slightly: For extra softness, bake the cookies for a minute or two less than the recipe suggests. They will set as they cool.
By following these tips, you’ll achieve soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies every time!
