There’s something truly special about pulling a tray of freshly baked cookies from your oven. The sweet scent fills your kitchen, the chocolate chips melt into gooey pools, and you can’t wait to take that first bite. Baking doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying, and that’s exactly why Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect starting point.
Why These Are the Best Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Quick and Simple to Make
You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated steps. Everything comes together with pantry staples and a mixing bowl. You can make a batch in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Perfectly Soft and Chewy
What sets these cookies apart is their perfect balance—crispy edges with soft, chewy centers. You won’t need to worry about them turning out flat or hard as long as you follow the simple steps.
Great for Every Occasion
Whether you’re baking for a last-minute gathering, prepping a school snack, or simply indulging yourself, these cookies fit every occasion. They’re classic, crowd-pleasing, and you can easily double the batch when you need more.
Ingredients for Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by beating the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step gives your cookies their tender texture.
Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop when you no longer see streaks of flour.
Stir in Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips gently, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers look just set.
Tips for the Best Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Butter: This helps the dough mix evenly and creates the right texture.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, chilling for 30 minutes helps control spreading and deepens the flavor.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies from the oven when the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Customize Your Chips: Try using dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even a mix for different flavor profiles.
Easy Variations for Chocolate Chip Cookies
Classic Crunchy Cookies
If you prefer crisp cookies, simply bake them 1-2 minutes longer. The extra time will make the edges golden and crunchy.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Use chopped chocolate bars instead of chips for pools of melty chocolate in every bite.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dough and use extra chocolate chips for a rich, chocolate-packed treat.
Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top of the dough balls before baking to create a sweet and salty flavor contrast.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Room Temperature:
Store your cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay soft and chewy if you place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture.
Freezing Cookie Dough:
Freeze portioned cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen—just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Baked Cookies:
Once baked and cooled, you can freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature or microwave them for a quick warm-up.
FAQs
Can I Make Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar?
Yes, but brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness. If you use only granulated sugar, your cookies will be a bit crispier.
How Do I Keep Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies Soft?
The secret is storing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The cookies will draw in the moisture from the bread and stay soft for days.
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
You can, but the flavor won’t be as rich. Butter gives the cookies that classic taste and a better texture.
Do I Have to Chill the Dough?
You don’t have to, but chilling helps the dough hold its shape while baking and gives you thicker cookies with more developed flavor.
Can I Use Different Types of Chocolate?
Absolutely! You can mix in white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips to make the cookies your own.
Cookies You May Like
Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the ones you return to over and over. These Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies are proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or long ingredient lists to bake something truly satisfying. They’re quick, they’re delicious, and they’re always a hit—whether you’re sharing them with friends, family, or simply treating yourself.
Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients:
- Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Stir in Chocolate Chips:
- Fold in chocolate chips gently, making sure they are evenly distributed.
Scoop and Bake:
- Scoop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
Cool:
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Optional: Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies and richer flavor.
- You can mix chocolate chips with dark, milk, or white chocolate.
- Slightly underbaking the cookies helps achieve a soft, chewy texture.
