I still remember the first time I made chocolate chip cookies with my mom—the way the kitchen smelled like warm butter and melting chocolate, how we’d sneak bites of dough when she wasn’t looking. There’s something magical about a classic chocolate chip cookie, isn’t there? That perfect balance of crispy edges and a chewy center, the way the chocolate pools just slightly when they’re fresh from the oven. This recipe is my go-to—simple, reliable, and *so* good that my friends beg me to bring them to every gathering. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
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Irresistible Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe in Just 30Minutes
A simple recipe for classic chocolate chip cookies that are chewy and delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture.
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter for best results.
- Do not overmix the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are everything you want in a classic chocolate chip cookie—and more. Here’s why they’re a forever favorite in my kitchen:
- Chewy perfection: That soft, slightly gooey center with just the right crisp edges? Oh yes.
- Easy ingredients: Nothing fancy—just pantry staples you probably already have.
- Quick to make: From mixing bowl to cooling rack in under 30 minutes (if you can wait that long to eat one).
- Foolproof: Even beginner bakers get perfect results every time.
- Freezer-friendly dough: Whip up a batch anytime that cookie craving hits.
Honestly, the hardest part is not eating all the dough before it hits the oven. (No judgment if you do—I’ve been there)
Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the best darn chocolate chip cookies of your life—simple stuff, but each ingredient plays a key role:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it, don’t scoop. Packed flour makes dense cookies.
- 1 tsp baking soda – Not baking powder. This gives them just the right rise.
- 1 tsp salt – Trust me, it balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Leave it out for an hour first. Cold butter won’t cream right.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar + 3/4 cup packed brown sugar – The brown sugar’s molasses is the secret to chewiness.
- 2 large eggs – Room temp blends smoother into the batter.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – Splurge on the real stuff, not imitation.
- 2 cups chocolate chips – I use semi-sweet, but milk or dark work too. More is always better.
Pro tip: If your butter’s still cold, cut it into chunks and microwave for 5-second bursts—just until slightly soft, not melted.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies
Okay, let’s get baking. These steps are simple, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that make all the difference between good cookies and oh-my-god-I-need-another-one cookies. Follow along—you’ll smell that heavenly chocolatey goodness in no time.
Step 1: Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients
First things first: crank that oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and hot when your cookies are ready to bake. While it heats up, whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. No need to sift—just give it a good stir with a fork to break up any flour clumps. Set this aside; it’ll join the party soon.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Now, grab your softened butter and both sugars. Beat them together with a mixer (or a strong arm and a wooden spoon) for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This is where the magic starts—creaming incorporates air for that perfect texture. Scrape down the bowl halfway through. When it looks like pale, whipped honey, you’re golden.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, crack in 2 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Then splash in 2 tsp vanilla. The batter might look a bit curdled at first—don’t panic. Keep mixing until it smooths out. Pro tip: wipe down the bowl edges with a spatula so everything gets evenly incorporated.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Fold in 2 cups chocolate chips—I usually toss in an extra handful because why not? Scoop dough with a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop (or roll 1.5″ balls) onto ungreased sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a rack. Try not to eat them all in one sitting.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
After burning my fair share of cookie batches (oops!), I’ve nailed down the tricks for flawless chocolate chip cookies every time:
- Don’t overmix. Stir just until ingredients combine—overworking the dough makes tough cookies.
- Underbake slightly: Pull them out when edges are golden but centers still look soft. They firm up perfectly while cooling.
- Let sheets cool between batches—hot pans cause dough to spread too fast.
- Chill dough 30 minutes if your kitchen’s warm—cold dough holds its shape better.
The cookies will still look puffy when you take them out—that’s good. They’ll settle into chewy perfection as they cool.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic, try mixing it up. My favorite twists:
- Nutty delight: Fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans—so good with dark chocolate chips.
- Salty-sweet: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies for that addictive contrast.
- Double chocolate: Replace 1/4 cup flour with cocoa powder for fudgy depth.
- Everything but the kitchen sink: Add pretzel bits, toffee, or shredded coconut for texture chaos (the best kind).
My niece swears by swapping half the chips for M&M’s—rainbow cookies = instant happiness.
Storing and Reheating Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies stay fresh for days—if they last that long. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days (layer with parchment to prevent sticking). For that just-baked warmth, pop one in the microwave for 10 seconds—or revive a whole batch by warming them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Pro tip: Freeze dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag—you can bake frozen dough straight from the freezer (just add 1-2 extra minutes).
Chocolate Chip Cookies Nutritional Information
Just so you know—these numbers are estimates, since we all scoop cookies a little differently. Per cookie (based on 24 per batch): 150 calories, 20g carbs, 8g fat (5g saturated), 2g protein, and 10g sugar. Not bad for such a heavenly treat, right? Enjoy in moderation… or don’t—I won’t tell.
Common Questions About Chocolate Chip Cookies
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these classic cookies—here are the ones that pop up most often.
Can I freeze chocolate chip cookie dough?
Absolutely? It’s my favorite trick for easy baking. Scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze until solid (about 1 hour), then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for 3 months—just add 1-2 extra minutes when baking from frozen. Sometimes I’ll bake just one or two when a craving hits—dangerously convenient.
Why are my cookies flat?
Oh, I’ve been there. Usually it’s one of three things: butter was too soft/melted, dough wasn’t chilled enough before baking, or you forgot the baking soda. Warm kitchens are tricky—if your dough feels greasy, chill it for 30 minutes before scooping. Also, check your baking soda’s freshness (it expires).
Can I make these without a mixer?
Of course, I’ve made these with just a wooden spoon when my mixer broke—it takes some elbow grease to cream the butter properly, but totally doable. Just make sure your butter is very soft, and mix vigorously for a full 3 minutes when combining with sugars. Bonus: you’ll burn off some cookie calories before eating them.
Share Your Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’d love to hear how your cookies turned out. Did you add any fun twists? Snap a photo and tell me about your baking adventure—nothing makes me happier than seeing others enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Share Your Chocolate Chip Cookies.
