If you have ever wondered how to create irresistibly rich, gooey, and buttery treats at home, look no further because here is The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe you will ever try. These cookies strike the perfect balance between a tender, chewy center and crisp edges, thanks to the magic of browned butter and just the right mix of brown and granulated sugars. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing guests, this recipe delivers that warm, homemade charm that everyone craves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though this recipe might sound fancy with browned butter and double eggs, the ingredients are wonderfully simple and familiar. Each one plays a crucial role: the browned butter adds a deep, nutty flavor; sugars bring the perfect caramel sweetness and texture; and the chocolate chunks are the star, melting into little pockets of joy in every bite.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled: Browning the butter develops a rich, nutty flavor that transforms ordinary cookies into extraordinary ones.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor for chewiness and depth.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Provides balance to the sweetness and helps create crispy edges.
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature: Eggs bind everything together and the extra yolk boosts richness and softness.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances all flavors with warm, fragrant notes.
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structure builder, giving cookies their shape.
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps cookies rise and spread just right.
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped: High-quality chocolate chunks melt beautifully, creating joyful bursts with every bite.
How to Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Begin by melting the butter over medium heat until it turns a beautiful golden brown and releases a wonderful nutty aroma. This step is key to adding a complex, caramel-like flavor that sets these cookies apart. Once browned, allow the butter to cool completely before using it in your dough.
Step 2: Combine Sugars and Butter
In a large mixing bowl, blend the cooled browned butter with both brown and granulated sugars. This mixture should look smooth and slightly glossy. The combination of sugars adds the perfect texture, ensuring your cookies will be chewy with crisp edges.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, mix in the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Eggs bring structure and moisture, while vanilla gives a warm, homey aroma that instantly makes the dough more inviting.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. Whisking incorporates air and helps even distribution, which means your cookies will bake evenly with consistent texture and flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined—overmixing can make your cookies tough. Then fold in the chopped semi-sweet chocolate for those melty, gooey pockets of sweetness that everyone loves.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This resting time is essential as it firms up the dough, helping the cookies maintain their perfect shape and encouraging deeper flavors to develop.
Step 7: Prepare to Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 8: Portion the Dough
Scoop the dough into equally sized balls and arrange them on the prepared sheets, ensuring enough space between each to allow for spreading.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers remain gloriously gooey. The contrast between crisp edges and a soft middle is what makes The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so unforgettable.
Step 10: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief rest helps them set without losing their tender texture.
How to Serve The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of warm cookies just out of the oven. The salt brightens the chocolate’s flavor and balances sweetness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk for that classic combo everyone adores or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate dessert night instantly.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches or drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the top for a gourmet twist that impresses friends and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They remain soft and chewy, perfect for a quick snack anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies or cookie dough balls. Freeze the dough on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to three months. Bake straight from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Gently warm cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for 3–5 minutes to bring back that just-baked softness and gooey chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added kosher salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies. Unsalted butter allows better control of salt levels.
What’s the secret to chewy cookies?
The browned butter adds flavor and fat, brown sugar keeps moisture in, and chilling the dough helps control spread and texture, resulting in chewy, tender cookies.
Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate?
Absolutely! You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even chocolate chips depending on your preference. Just be aware the sweetness and texture might slightly change.
Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling solidifies fats to prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking, which improves texture and concentrates flavors.
How do I store cookies to keep them fresh?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature, ideally with a slice of bread added to maintain moisture and softness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magic about The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe; it’s a sweet escape that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with joy. I urge you to grab your mixing bowl, brown some butter, and experience the comfort of homemade cookies that everyone will rave about. Happy baking!
Print
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 56 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
Description
This recipe for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies yields perfectly chewy and gooey cookies with a nutty browned butter flavor, a balance of brown and granulated sugar sweetness, and plenty of semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Ideal for any occasion, these classic cookies are simple to prepare, chilled for enhanced texture, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Brown the butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Then set it aside to cool completely before use to avoid cooking the eggs.
- Mix Sugars and Butter: In a large bowl, combine the browned butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until fully integrated and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the sugar and butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Chocolate: Fold the chopped semi-sweet chocolate into the dough evenly to distribute throughout.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up which improves texture and flavor.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the chilled dough into evenly sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets spaced apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain gooey for that perfect chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra gooey cookies, do not overbake; remove cookies as soon as edges are golden.
- Chilling the dough enhances flavor and texture but can be extended up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure proper mixing and texture.
- Brown the butter carefully as it can burn quickly—watch for nutty aroma and light golden color.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
