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Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Classic Homemade Recipe

Few homemade treats are as comforting as a batch of freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies. With crisp, lightly golden edges, soft centers, and pockets of melted chocolate throughout, these cookies are simple enough for an everyday dessert yet special enough to share with family and friends.

The secret to a great chocolate chip cookie is balance. The butter brings richness, brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor, while a little granulated sugar helps create those deliciously crisp edges. Chilling the dough also gives the flavors time to develop and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

Soft and chewy centers with lightly crisp edges
Plenty of melty chocolate chips in every bite
Simple ingredients you probably already have
Easy to prepare without special equipment
Excellent for snacks, dessert, lunchboxes, or sharing
The dough can be prepared ahead of time

Ingredients

For approximately 24 cookies, you’ll need:

1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups (340 g) chocolate chips

Optional:

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
A small pinch of flaky salt for sprinkling after baking

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Using parchment prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

Place the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Beat for about 2–3 minutes, until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly lighter in texture.

This step helps incorporate air into the mixture while distributing the sugars evenly through the butter.

3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until everything is smooth and well combined.

If the mixture looks slightly uneven at this stage, that is normal.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps distribute the baking soda and salt throughout the flour, reducing the chance of unevenly seasoned cookies.