Chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate comfort food. Warm, gooey, and loaded with melty chocolate chips, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a delicious snack, this classic recipe is easy to follow and guarantees soft, chewy cookies every time.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

How to Make:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and creates a well-textured cookie.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step. Creaming the butter and sugar properly is key to getting that soft, chewy texture.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract. This helps create a smooth, creamy dough.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if you’re using them). Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

8. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. For a chewier cookie, remove them from the oven when they look slightly underdone.

9. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or store for later!

Adjustments:

• Add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking for a sweet and salty twist.

How to Store:

Store your chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. If freezing dough, simply bake directly from the freezer, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
• Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies spread less and develop a chewier texture.
• Even Baking: Use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to ensure evenly sized cookies, which will bake at the same rate.
• Don’t Overbake: Cookies continue to cook as they cool, so take them out when they’re still a little soft in the center for a perfectly chewy texture.
• Customize the Chocolate: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chunks for added depth of flavor.
• Extra Gooey Center: If you love gooey cookies, slightly underbake them by a minute or two for a softer center.
• Add Texture: If you enjoy a bit of crunch, stir in ½ to 1 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture.
• Even Spread: For evenly spread cookies, make sure your butter isn’t too warm. Overly soft butter will cause the cookies to spread too much during baking.
• Reheat for Freshness: Microwave leftover cookies for 10 seconds to revive their fresh-from-the-oven warmth and gooey texture.

Conclusion:

Chocolate chip cookies are a timeless favorite that everyone loves. With their crispy edges and soft, gooey centers, this easy recipe is sure to satisfy your cookie cravings. Whether you’re making them for yourself or to share, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!