These classic chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with melty chocolate chips. They’re easy to make and perfect for enjoying warm from the oven or as a sweet treat any time of day.

This chewy chocolate chip cookies recipe is the perfect treat for any occasion, with its golden brown, crisp edges and soft center. They are a classic dessert with their irresistible contrast of textures and rich, comforting flavors, making the cookies a timeless favorite for all ages.

Despite the mouthwatering mix of butter, sugar, and semisweet chocolate, along with other things, I know these cookies might not be everyone’s cup of tea, which is why we have a large variety of easy cookie recipes, including these sugar cookies with frosting, delicious ranger cookies, and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies stacked in rows.

🍪 Key Ingredients

  • 4 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 sticks of unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 and ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 and ½ cups light brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons of table salt
  • 2 teaspoons of baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
Ingredients for the chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients for the chocolate chip cookies.

👩‍🍳 How to Make this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.

Step 1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2. Combine the Flour, Salt, and Baking Soda

In a large bowl, combine 4½ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Stir until the ingredients are evenly mixed. Set the bowl aside for later.

Flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.
Flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.

Step 3. Melt the Butter

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 sticks of butter (2 cups) for about 1 minute. If using a measuring cup, remember that 4 sticks of butter equal 2 cups.

Note: Keep a close eye on the butter as it melts, since microwave cooking times can vary. Your butter may melt in less than a minute, especially if your microwave heats quickly.

Softened butter in a bowl.
Softened butter in a bowl.

Step 4: Combine the Melted Butter, Vanilla Extract, and Sugars

For the wet ingredients, combine the melted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1½ cups of granulated sugar, and 1½ cups of brown sugar in a medium bowl. Stir until well combined.

Tip: You can use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to combine the ingredients. Begin mixing on low speed and gradually increase the speed as needed. Avoid using high speed, as the chocolate chip cookie dough may splatter or fly out of the bowl.

Butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl.
Butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl.

Step 5. Keep Stirring Until Blended

Mix the melted butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla mixture.
Butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla mixture.

Step 6. Add the Eggs to the Butter and Sugar Mixture

Add the eggs one at a time to the bowl containing the melted butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, mixing well after each addition.

Eggs added to the butter and sugar mixture.
Eggs added to the butter and sugar mixture.

Step 7. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture from Step 2 to the wet ingredients, adding a little at a time. This makes it easier to combine the ingredients smoothly in the next step.

Flour mixture slowly added to the cookie dough.
Flour mixture slowly added to the cookie dough.

Step 8. Stir the Dry and Wet Ingredients Together

Mix the flour mixture into the creamy cookie dough using a spoon or an electric mixer on low speed, until all the ingredients are well combined and a smooth cookie dough forms.

Wet and dry ingredients mixed well.
Wet and dry ingredients mixed well.

Step 9. Add the Chocolate Chips

Add in all 3 cups of semisweet chocolate chips to the cookie dough mixture using a measuring cup.

Chocolate chips added to the dough.
Chocolate chips added to the dough.

Step 10. Mix the Chocolate Chips into the Cookie Dough

Mix with a spoon or spatula until the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the rest of the cookie dough.

Chocolate chips mixed into the cookie dough.
Chocolate chips mixed into the cookie dough.

Step 11. Line a Cookie Sheet with Parchment Paper

Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the cookie sheet and place it on the pan. Shape the cookie dough into small balls (you can use a cookie scoop) and arrange them on the cookie sheet, leaving about two inches of space between each ball. If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly coat the cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Note: Parchment paper can make a big difference when baking cookies. Without it, the cookies may spread more than desired, resulting in thinner cookies. They may also bake faster, causing the bottoms and edges to become darker brown than intended.

Cookie dough balls on the baking sheet.
Cookie dough balls on the baking sheet.

Step 12. Bake the Chocolate Chip Cookies

Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake the cookie dough balls at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Using heat-resistant oven mitts, carefully remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 2–3 minutes. The cookies will be very soft when they first come out, so removing them too soon may cause them to fall apart.

After 2–3 minutes, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack (wire rack) and let them cool for another couple of minutes.

Once completely cooled, store the cookies at room temperature in a cookie jar or airtight container. If your container does not have a lid, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For those who prefer cold cookies, you can also store them in the refrigerator.

Note: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep a close eye on the cookies while they bake. 375°F for 10 minutes worked perfectly for us, but some ovens may run hotter than others. This can cause the cookies to bake too quickly or become overly dark on the bottoms and edges. You may need to change the baking time or temperature of the oven depending on these factors.

Cookies out of the oven.
Cookies out of the oven.

🌟 Recipe Variations

  • Switch out the semisweet chocolate chips for a different type of chocolate, such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate.
  • Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the cookies right after bringing them out of the oven.
  • Add in 1 cup of any type of nut or fruit, such as pecans, walnuts, or coconut flakes.
  • Turn it into peanut butter chocolate chip cookies by adding ½ cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients.
  • Add more or less than three cups of chocolate chips depending on your preference, to change the amount of chocolate chips in each bite.

Tip: When adding extra mix-ins, avoid adding too many ingredients at once, as they can make the dough difficult to shape and may affect how the cookies spread while baking.

Stack of chocolate chip cookies.

🙋 FAQs

Can I Freeze the Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze chocolate chip cookies, and freezing them is the best way to keep them fresh for longer. Once the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe container, separating the layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Properly stored, chocolate chip cookies can stay fresh in the freezer for about 2–3 months. Freezing helps preserve their flavor, texture, and freshness, allowing you to enjoy homemade cookies later without having to bake a new batch.

How Long Will the Cookies Last?

Chocolate chip cookies can last for about 5–7 days at room temperature when stored properly in an airtight container. For the best results, keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze them for about 2–3 months. Proper storage will help prevent the cookies from becoming stale, dry, or too soft.

Stacked rows of chocolate chip cookies.

💡 Final Thoughts

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe, packed with delicious, melty chocolate chips in every bite. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of rich, buttery flavor, making them a favorite for any occasion.

A significant piece of information is that this recipe yields a very large batch. If you do not want to make this many cookies at once, simply cut the recipe in half.

We’re sure you’ll love this perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe as much as we do. They’re easy to make, deliciously satisfying, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Enjoy!

🗂️ Recipe Card

Avatar for KylieKylie
These classic chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with melty chocolate chips. They’re easy to make and perfect for enjoying warm from the oven or as a sweet treat any time of day.
5 from 1 vote
Cost $9
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings 55 cookies

🫕 Equipment

🧂 Ingredients
  

👩‍🍳 Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the butter in the microwave for about one minute and 20 seconds.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix well.
  • In a large bowl, add the softened butter together with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix until blended.
  • Slowly add the flour mixture. Mix well.
  • Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the cookie dough.
  • Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Drop the cookie dough by the spoonful (or a cookie scoop) onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake the cookies at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly browned.
  • Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack for about 2 minutes until completely cool.

*️⃣ Recipe Notes

  • Four sticks of butter are equal to two cups.
  • You should use parchment paper on the cookie sheet; without it, the cookies will spread out more than they should and will be browner on the bottom and edges.
  • If you try to remove the cookies from the cookie sheet right after taking them out of the oven, chances are they will break apart because they are still soft and not set yet.
  • This recipe makes a very large batch of cookies, so if you want to make it smaller, simply cut the recipe in half.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

💗 More Homemade Cookie Recipes You Will Love

  • Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies – A colorful twist added to classic chocolate chip cookies. Each cookie comes with a mouthwatering, sweet crunch in every bite, and is sure to be a favorite for the whole family.
  • Dark Chocolate Cookies – Perfect for chocolate lovers, these dark chocolate cookies have an absolutely delicious, rich flavor with dark chocolate chunks and soft, chewy center.
  • For the perfect autumn treat, try our pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies! With hints of pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon, the aroma of these cookies will bring you into the fall season. Additionally, these cookies can be enjoyed at any time of the year, and are perfect for reminiscing in cozy memories!
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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