This is the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe EVER! The secret is in melting the butter (no more waiting for it to soften!). No chilling time required, no funny ingredients, just simple, homemade, amazingly delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookies!
I have lots of recipes that feature chocolate chips. Here’s a small sampling: Easy Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies, Giant M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are little morsels of memories. I’m sure you, too, have more than one memory that has a chocolate chip cookie wrapped up in it.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies, look no more. This is the last chocolate chip cookie recipe you will ever try. If you don’t love them the first time, make them again; you made a mistake somewhere 🙂 Seriously though, for being a very basic chocolate chip cookie recipe (no extensive chilling time needed, no cornstarch needed, etc.) this is the best recipe out there.
What Makes These The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies?
The secret key to this chocolate chip cookie recipe is the melted butter. I LOVE that it uses melted butter because you don’t have to wait for the butter to come to room temperature. When you beat the melted butter and the sugars together you beat and beat until the mixture gets light and fluffy (pictures in the post for reference!); the process takes several minutes but it’s where the cookie magic happens! The cookies have a caramel undertone that is so delicious and they turn out great every time you make them. They are crisp on the edges, a little soft in the middle, and the perfect cookie texture all around.
This recipe is solid, one that I make over and over again and have been making for years. I can’t wait for it to become a family favorite in your house too.
Here’s a picture of the butter and sugar mixture. This is what it looks like after about a minute of mixing – dark and caramely (left). Delicious, but not what you are after. We want it “creamed” which means light and fluffy.
Here’s what the butter and sugar should look like before you add anything else (right). It will be light and fluffy, and this will take a full 5-8 minutes of mixing. Don’t skip this step!
Here’s what I love about the best chocolate chip cookie recipe:
- It is made with 100% butter – no margarine here.
- Not only is it all butter, but it’s all melted butter. No waiting for a stick to soften or trying to “soften” via the microwave.
- The melted butter gives it a yummy almost caramelish undertone. You’ll understand when you get there.
Can You Freeze the Dough and then Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies from Frozen Dough?
Yes! I always double this recipe, bake a couple dozen, then form and freeze the rest (form them into the balls, stick them in a single layer in an airtight container, and freeze for up to a month). Just bake the frozen dough for a few minutes longer at 350 degrees (instead of 325). They turn out perfect every time. Now I always have cookies in the freezer ready to pop in the oven on a whim. I haven’t said no to a request for cookies in months!
I love having the cookie dough in the freezer, too, for unexpected guests or when I want to take some dinner over to a friend. Hot cookies are always welcome with a meal!
How Do You Get Perfectly Shaped Cookies?
Invest in a cookie scoop ! It’s a game changer. I also like using baking mats. Everyone needs both in their kitchen.
Ingredients in Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Flour: To bind and fill the cookies. You could also have good luck using gluten free flour, almond flour, or whole wheat flour.
- Baking soda: For the cookies to rise and puff up a bit as they bake.
- Salt: To round out the sweet flavors.
- Butter: And lots of it! Melting it is the key to perfectly soft, chewy, amazing chocolate chip cookies.
- Egg + an egg yolk: Eggs help add volume to cookies and extra yolk makes them more tender.
- Vanilla: For a subtle warming flavor.
- Chocolate chips: Of course! This adds the morsels of chocolate necessary for these cookies. You can use any chocolate chip variety you like here; I use semisweet.
How to Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
You are going to love making these cookies! They’re SO delish and fun to bake. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and sugars together with an electric mixer (or stand mixer) on medium speed until smooth and light and fluffy in color, around 5 minutes. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined.
Reduce the speed to low and slowly add half the flour, the salt and baking soda, and then the second half of the flour. Mix in the chips until incorporated. Working with 1 large tablespoon of dough at a time, roll them into balls and place them on a cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper or a baking mat) about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the middles are still soft and puffy, around 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough, and enjoy!
FAQs for Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- How can I tell my cookies are underdone? They will still look like dough (glistening, soft) and won’t be golden-brown around the edges.
- What if my cookies spread or flatten? Too little flour is often the culprit of flat cookies — make sure you measure it well!
- What if my cookies don’t spread at all and remain ball-shaped? Too much flour or not melting the butter can cause them to remain in their cylinder shape.
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
Description
This is the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe EVER! The secret is in melting the butter (no more waiting for it to soften!). No chilling time required, no funny ingredients, just simple, homemade, amazingly delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookies!
Ingredients
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted and cooled for 5 minutes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk (when I double the recipe I do 3 eggs instead of 2 eggs and 2 yolks… it’s up to you)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and sugars together with an electric mixer (or stand mixer) on medium speed until smooth and light and fluffy in color, around 5 minutes. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined.
- Reduce the speed to low and slowly add half the flour, the salt and baking soda, and then the second half of the flour. Mix in the chips until incorporated. Working with 1 large tablespoons of dough at a time, roll them into balls and place them on a cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper or a baking mat) about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the middles are still soft and puffy, around 10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely.
- Repeat with remaining dough.
Notes
To freeze this cookie dough, simple form it into balls and stick them in a single layer in a zipper-topped bag or an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze. Place the frozen cookie dough balls on your baking-mat-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Hot cookies on demand will change your life!
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: best chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chip cookie recipe, homemade chocolate chip cookies, easy chocolate chip cookies, how to make chocolate chip cookies, chewy chocolate chip cookies
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Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen Family Baking Book
Did you know I’m a little cookie obsessed? Try these too:
- Healthy Applesauce Cookies
- M&M Oatmeal Cookies
- Old Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Extra Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Easy Mexican Wedding Cookies
- Homemade Mint Oreo Cookies
- Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints
- Perfect Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Extra Buttery Spritz Cookies
- Soft and Puffy Greek Yogurt Sugar Cookies
These cookies are going to change your chocolate chip cookie life because I promise you that this truly is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe out there! Happy baking friends and enjoy from my kitchen to yours!
The recipe was originally published in February 2012. It was rephotographed, rewritten, and republished for your enjoyment in June 2017.
Hey, we’ve tried this a few times now and love it!!! However, I have a question. I melt the butter and let it cool, but my dough is still not a good enough consistency to actually make balls. I have to spoon it on the pan. Today I tried cooling in the fridge, but it still isn’t quite right for rolling a ball. I love the texture of the cookie in your photos. While ours are delicious, I’d like them to be like the ones you have pictured. Wonder if you have any suggestions for me. Is the butter suppose… Read more »
I think it has less to do with the butter and more to do with the amount of flour you are using. You can use the butter while it’s still warm and it’s great. If your dough is sticky, try adding 1/4 cup of flour. It should be easy to work with and not stick to things when you are making them into balls. You can always email a picture too! I’m more than happy to help you trouble shoot.
Thanks Melissa, for your advice haven’t made chocolate chip cookies yet but made the chocolate , peanut butter, oatmeal balls o my Lord so good. Thanks Tim
So good right! You are going to LOVE these cookies too!
Great recipe for cookies came out deliciousis, I used Bailey chocolate chip a must try sooooo good.
I’ve never seen those, where did you find them?!
Is it salted or unsalted butter??
I’ve used both with great success, though unsalted is typical for baking goods, us what you have on hand!
i dont have any parchment paper, do you think greasy a cookie sheet would be okay?
Parchment, a baking mat, or a lightly greased sheet will all work, thanks for asking and happy cookie making!
i attempted to make these and when beating the butter and sugar it was not setting up? what butter do you use? how long do you let the butter sit to cool? it stayed really liquidy when i was beating it 🙁 looking for a really good cookie recipe
I used a store-brand salted butter, nothing special and I whip it 8-10 minutes if I put it in hot. It’s a long time! It’ll still work even if you don’t beat it a ton, I think it just develops the flavor. Did you make them? What did you think?
So yummy! I used mini M&M’s instead of chocolate chips and they turned out great. Definitely recommend!
★★★★★
Yes! One of my kid’s favorite substitutions for this recipe too! Thanks for sharing friend, I’m so happy you loved them as much as we do!
I liked it.your explanation are helpfull. I love cookies.
Can u plz tell us a butter stick how much in grams? Can I use just the amount of brown suger I felt it has alot of suger.
When I want cookies I always use this recipe as it never disappoints and they stay nice and soft!
★★★★★
Thank you for the review Karina! They are forever our favorite too. Come make them at my place?!
By far the best chocolate chip cookie recipe EVER!! I made them for a BBQ and they were a hit! I will definitely make extra next time and freeze the dough.
★★★★★
Seriously loved hearing this, made my day! I hope you make them again and again like we do 🙂
Love these! Made them with my 9 year old autistic grandson and his almost 5 year old sister. They had a blast and gobbled up several before they were completely cool. We will definitely be making these again! Thank you so much for sharing your gift of baking.
★★★★★
Cooking with your people, I LOVE IT! Go grandma go!
My daughter is home from college and requested homemade chocolate chip cookies. I alternate between a few different recipes but came across your blog/recipe and gave it a try tonight. It’s wonderful and I’ll be making it again for sure. Thank you!!!
★★★★★
This has become my go to chocolate chip cookie recipe! They melt in your mouth! ? My husband asks me to make these almost weekly and I don’t ever object. ? I’ve made them for get togethers, to bring to new mamas, and taking them to my new principal tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Loving hearing that! That is 100% how we feel about them too. Thank you for taking the time to tell me, that made my morning!
It makes the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Love love LOVE this recipe!!!
★★★★★
I couldn’t agree more, thanks for coming back to comment!
I need this! Thanks!