Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies. I am one of those people that absolutely loaves a soft chewy chocolate chip cookie with a buttery undertone. From classic chewy chocolate chip cookies to my butter rum chocolate chip cookies baking the perfect cookie is an art I have down to perfection after years of FRG bake sales and afternoon snacks for the neighborhood.
If you love chewy chocolate chip cookies and your house smelling like childhood memories you are sure to fall in love with this easy-to-make classic chocolate chip cookie recipe with tips on how to get the perfect chewy texture.
How To Get The Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Texture
Use the Right Flour: Opt for all-purpose flour. It provides the right balance of protein for structure and tenderness.
Butter Temperature: Use softened butter, not melted. It should be at room temperature but still slightly firm.
Creaming Butter and Sugar: Cream the butter and sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air and gives the cookies a nice texture.
Eggs at Room Temperature: Use room temperature eggs. This helps them mix more evenly into the dough.
Don’t Overmix: Once you start adding the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Chill the Dough: After mixing, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Use High-Quality Chocolate: Good-quality chocolate chips or chunks will make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Add Salt: Don’t forget a little pinch of salt. It enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
Bake at the Right Temperature: Preheat your oven to the correct temperature (usually around 350°F or 175°C) and bake the cookies in the center of the oven.
Use Parchment Paper or a Silpat: Line your baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Pay Attention to Baking Time: Cookies continue to cook a bit after you take them out of the oven due to residual heat. Remove them when they’re slightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
Cool on Baking Sheet: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set without overbaking.
Experiment with Different Sugars: You can use a mix of brown and white sugar or try different varieties for unique flavors.
Add a Flavor Boost: Consider adding a touch of vanilla extract, almond extract, or other flavorings for a unique twist.
Avoid Overcrowding: Leave enough space between cookies on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
What you need for these Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
How to make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add room temperature eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Fun ways to get creative with your chocolate chip cookies
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add cocoa powder to the dough or use chocolate chunks in addition to chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey experience.
Nutty Delights: Incorporate chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
Coconut Bliss: Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Sea Salt Caramel Cookies: Add caramel bits or drizzle caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet and salty treat.
Spiced Cookies: Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to give your cookies a warm and cozy flavor.
Citrus Zest: Add lemon, orange, or lime zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus kick.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add mint extract and green food coloring (if desired) to the dough along with chocolate chips for a cool and refreshing treat.
Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies: Swirl peanut butter into the dough for a delightful peanut butter and chocolate combination.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace a portion of the flour with rolled oats for a heartier texture.
Trail Mix Cookies: Add a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds for a cookie with a healthy twist.
S’mores Cookies: Add crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chunks of chocolate for a cookie reminiscent of a campfire favorite.
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies: Dissolve instant espresso powder in a little hot water and add it to the dough for a rich coffee flavor. This is another great option for espresso chocolate chips like this espresso fudge recipe.
Pretzel and Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Incorporate crushed pretzels for a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
Lavender Infused Cookies: Add dried lavender buds (culinary grade) for a unique and aromatic flavor profile.
Chai Spice Cookies: Infuse the dough with chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves for a warming and aromatic cookie.
Almond Joy Cookies: Mix in chopped almonds, shredded coconut, and mini chocolate chips for a cookie reminiscent of the classic candy bar.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies: Use white chocolate chips and fold in dried or freeze-dried raspberries for a fruity and creamy combination.
How to serve chocolate chip cookies
Classic Cookie and Milk: Serve the cookies with a glass of cold milk. This classic combination is always a hit.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a delightful ice cream sandwich.
Cookie Sundaes: Crumble cookies over a scoop of ice cream and add toppings like chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
Cookie Dough Dip: Turn the cookie dough into a dip by omitting the eggs and baking soda. Serve with graham crackers, pretzels, or apple slices.
Cookie Trifle: Layer crumbled cookies with whipped cream and fruit in a glass serving dish for a beautiful dessert trifle.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars: Press cookie dough into the bottom of a baking dish, then top with a layer of cheesecake batter and bake for a decadent dessert.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie: Press cookie dough into a pie dish and bake for a gooey, indulgent cookie pie.
Cookie and Nut Butter Sandwiches: Spread almond butter, peanut butter, or another nut butter between two cookies for a tasty sandwich.
Cookie Milkshake: Blend cookies with vanilla ice cream and milk to make a delicious cookie-flavored milkshake.
Chocolate-Dipped Cookies: Melt chocolate, dip half of each cookie in it, and let it set for a sophisticated twist.
Cookie Tiramisu: Use crumbled cookies as one of the layers in a traditional tiramisu dessert.
Cookie Parfait: Layer crumbled cookies with yogurt and fresh fruit for a healthy yet satisfying parfait.
Cookie and Cream Cheese Frosting Sandwiches: Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a creamy, sweet treat.
Cookie Pops: Insert a stick into the cookie before baking, then dip them in melted chocolate and allow to set for fun cookie pops.
