The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever (Crunchy Outside, Chewy Inside)

There’s something timeless about a chocolate chip cookie, but not all are created equal. This recipe delivers the ideal balance, crisp edges that give way to a chewy center and just the right amount of rich chocolate in every bite. It’s built on quality ingredients and a few smart techniques that make all the difference.

What Are Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most iconic and beloved baked goods in the world. They consist of a dough made with flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, folded together with chunks or chips of chocolate.

The cookie originated in the United States in the 1930s, credited to Ruth Wakefield, who owned the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. She added chopped chocolate to a standard butter cookie, expecting it to melt completely. Instead, the pieces held their shape, creating a new and wildly popular texture. Nestlé later partnered with her, and the recipe was printed on their chocolate chip packaging, sealing the cookie’s place in dessert history.

Today, chocolate chip cookies are a staple in homes, bakeries, and cafes across the globe, endlessly adapted to suit personal tastes, from crisp and thin to thick and chewy, with endless variations in between.

Pro Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Use softened, not melted butter. It whips into the sugars better, trapping air for fluffier texture without going greasy.
• If your dough feels too warm, let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. It helps the cookies hold their shape.
• Use an ice cream scoop for bakery-style uniformity and a perfect golden ring around the edges.
• Sea salt adds an amazing flavor to this dish. A sprinkle on top before baking intensifies the chocolate and balances the sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Most likely, your butter was too soft or melted. Make sure it’s just softened to room temperature, not liquid. Also, double-check your flour measurements, too little flour equals flat cookies.

Can I use just brown sugar or just white sugar?

Sure, but both sugars are recommended. Brown sugar adds chew and a caramely depth, while white sugar keeps the edges crisp.

What kind of chocolate chips are best?

Semi-sweet is classic, but dark chocolate chunks or a mix of milk and dark chips give more personality. You can even chop up a quality chocolate bar for gooey pools of melted chocolate.

Why do my cookies turn out cakey?

You might be overmixing the dough after adding the flour, or using too much flour. Mix gently and only until combined for that tender chew.

How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookies

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Add a slice of bread (yes, bread!) to keep them soft for days and they’ll stay fresh for about 5 days.

You can also freeze baked cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers.

How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

Step 1

Step 1

In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and give it a good whisk.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and give it a good whisk.

Step 2

Step 2

In another bowl, add your softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and whip it up.

In another bowl, add your softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and whip it up.

Step 3

Step 3

Crack in the eggs, drizzle in the vanilla extract, and mix until everything blends together.

Crack in the eggs, drizzle in the vanilla extract, and mix until everything blends together.

Step 4

Step 4

Add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Use a spatula and gently mix from the bottom up, to create a dense dough.

Add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Use a spatula and gently mix from the bottom up, to create a dense dough.

Step 5

Step 5

Dump in those glorious chocolate chips and mix just enough to scatter them evenly through the dough. You want chips in every bite, not just a few cookies hogging the spotlight.

Dump in those glorious chocolate chips and mix just enough to scatter them evenly through the dough. You want chips in every bite, not just a few cookies hogging the spotlight.

Step 6

Step 6

Scoop 12 generous blobs of dough onto a baking tray, giving them space to spread.

Scoop 12 generous blobs of dough onto a baking tray, giving them space to spread.

Step 7

Step 7

Slide the tray into a preheated oven at 190°C (374°F) and bake for 10 minutes. They should be golden around the edges and just a little soft in the center.

Slide the tray into a preheated oven at 190°C (374°F) and bake for 10 minutes. They should be golden around the edges and just a little soft in the center.

Step 8

Step 8

There you have it, the ultimate chocolate chip cookies. So grab a glass of milk, call your favorite people, and prepare to be hailed as a cookie genius.

There you have it, the ultimate chocolate chip cookies. So grab a glass of milk, call your favorite people, and prepare to be hailed as a cookie genius.