Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving the perfect classic treat, it doesn’t get more satisfying than Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are everything you want in a homemade dessert: buttery, packed with melty chocolate chips, and boasting just the right texture – crisp at the edges with irresistibly soft centers. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in, sharing with friends, or sneaking one straight off the tray, this recipe will become your trusted go-to. Embrace a little nostalgia and pure comfort in every sweet, chewy bite!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies comes from simple, quality ingredients that work together to deliver the ultimate cookie experience. Each element matters, from the buttery richness to the perfect ratio of sugars ensuring that dreamy chewiness every time.

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that gives your cookies structure and a soft, pillowy crumb.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies puff up just the right amount, keeping them light and tender.
• Salt: Just a touch enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter (melted and slightly cooled): Using melted butter creates a dense, chewy texture rather than cakey cookies.
• Packed Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and that hint of caramel flavor, crucial for the perfect chew.
• Granulated Sugar: Ensures your cookies have just enough sweetness and those delectable crisp edges.
• Vanilla Extract: For that deep, aromatic background note that makes every bite comforting.
• Large Egg plus 1 Extra Yolk: The egg yolk adds richness and helps achieve extra chewiness and tenderness in your cookies.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! Melty, gooey, and perfectly balanced with sweet dough in every bite.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and ensures your cookies come off perfectly intact with those golden, soft bottoms we all crave!

Step 2: Whisk Up the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This simple step guarantees an even rise and flavor throughout your Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Make sure everything is incorporated well so there are no surprises later!

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted (and slightly cooled) butter with the brown and granulated sugars. Continue mixing until the blend is smooth and glossy. Add in the vanilla extract, the whole egg, and the extra yolk, then beat until creamy and a bit lighter in color. This enrichment step ensures every cookie has that irresistible, chewy bite.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Components

Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently and just until combined. The key is to avoid over-mixing, which can make your cookies tough instead of gloriously tender.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in those precious semisweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re distributed evenly throughout the dough. Every single cookie should be loaded with gooey chocolate bits for the ultimate treat.

Step 6: Portion the Dough

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. If you like extra-thick cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking – this optional step really amps up the chewy factor.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop your trays in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges while the centers still appear slightly underdone – this is the secret to those coveted Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Once baked, let your cookies cool on the sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

If you love a little flourish, sprinkle your warm cookies with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt right as they come out of the oven. It perfectly offsets the sweetness and really makes the chocolate flavor pop! You can also dust them with a light coating of powdered sugar for a classic cookie look.

Side Dishes

There’s nothing more classic than pairing Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk. For a grown-up twist, serve them alongside coffee or cappuccino. Feeling festive? Scoop a little vanilla ice cream on the side and sandwich two cookies for a dreamy dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your cookies in a glass jar tied with a ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift, or pile them high on a tiered stand for a stunning cookie centerpiece. For parties, you can offer a cookie decorating station with mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, and melted chocolate for dipping! Kids and adults alike will be back for seconds.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious and soft for up to five days, if they last that long! A slice of bread inside the container can help maintain their moisture and texture, too.

Freezing

Baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls – just arrange them on a tray to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Whenever the craving strikes, you can pop them straight from the freezer to the oven, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

For cookies that taste fresh-baked, just warm them in a microwave for 8–10 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for a couple of minutes. This brings back that melty chocolate and soft texture that makes Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies simply irresistible.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semisweet?

Absolutely! While semisweet chocolate chips balance the sweetness of the dough nicely, milk chocolate chips give a creamier, sweeter result. Feel free to mix and match to create your perfect cookie blend.

Why is it important to use an extra egg yolk?

The extra yolk adds richness and helps create that signature chewy texture. It also keeps the cookies soft for longer, so don’t skip it if you want the best Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough is optional, but it really helps cookies stay thick and chewy by allowing the flour to hydrate and the butter to firm up. If you’re short on time, you can bake right away, but for next-level chewiness, even 30 minutes in the fridge makes a difference.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Just check that all other ingredients are gluten-free, and enjoy Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies without any gluten worries.

How do I keep the cookies soft after baking?

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread, as the bread will provide just the right amount of moisture to keep your cookies soft. Be sure not to overbake, since underbaking slightly is what keeps the centers super soft and chewy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate crowd-pleaser, these Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies will win hearts wherever you share them. The combination of buttery dough, gooey chocolate chips, and perfect chew is nothing short of magic. Don’t wait for a special occasion to bake a batch – treat yourself and the people you love to the simple joy of homemade cookies that never go out of style!

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