If you’re craving that perfect homemade treat that’s golden on the edges, gooey in the center, and studded generously with melting chocolate chips, look no further than The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. This classic recipe checks all the boxes: a simple, nostalgic favorite made with easy ingredients and a few clever tricks for that signature chewy bite! Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself (no judgement!), these cookies are guaranteed to spark joy and disappear quickly.

The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in how a handful of pantry staples transform into a magical, melt-in-your-mouth treat. Each ingredient brings something essential to the flavor, color, or texture, so quality and care definitely pay off here.

Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Using softened butter gives your cookies that rich flavor and the perfect chewy texture.
Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Brown sugar adds moistness and depth, helping create that irresistibly chewy, caramel vibe.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): This balances the sweetness and helps contribute to those delightfully golden edges.
Large Eggs (2): Eggs bind everything together and add richness for a cookie that’s soft through the center.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): A splash of vanilla brings aromatic warmth and rounds out the chocolatey flavors.
All-Purpose Flour (2 1/4 cups): The structure of the cookie rests on this classic baking staple, keeping things thick and satisfying.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): This helps your cookies rise and develop that perfect texture without puffing up like cake.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just a pinch really sharpens all the sweet flavors and keeps things balanced.
Cornstarch (2 teaspoons): The secret to tender, soft cookies – cornstarch delivers extra chewiness!
Semisweet Chocolate Chips (2 cups): Tons of chips mean decadent chocolate in every bite; use your favorite brand or even a mix.

How to Make The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only prevents sticking, but also helps your cookies bake up with perfectly crisp, golden bottoms!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture gets light and fluffy – this step is key for giving the cookies their signature chewy texture and making every bite melt in your mouth.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. You want the mixture to look creamy and evenly combined – the eggs help bind everything together and add gorgeous color and richness.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. These dry ingredients are your building blocks for the perfect cookie – the flour gives structure, while cornstarch adds that craveable chewiness.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. Don’t overmix, or your cookies can turn tough! The dough will come together easily and look thick, yet soft.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. You’re aiming for a chip in every bite for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience!

Step 7: Portion and Bake

Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the centers still look a bit soft and underdone. That’s the secret to keeping The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies soft and gooey!

Step 8: Let Them Cool (Just a Little!)

Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes – this helps them set without overbaking. Afterward, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can wait that long). Enjoy them warm for the dreamiest treat!

How to Serve The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Garnishes

For a bakery-style finish, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of your cookies fresh out of the oven. It adds a sophisticated touch and really wakes up the chocolate flavor. You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate or caramel for extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies than an ice-cold glass of milk! For a fancier dessert plate, serve with hot coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a berry compote on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Make an ice cream sandwich by sandwiching a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies. Stack cookies in clear bags for homemade gifts, or arrange them on a pretty platter for parties. You can even cut them into little pieces and sprinkle over a sundae bar.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Slip a slice of bread into the container to help keep The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies soft and fresh. The moisture in the bread keeps the cookies from drying out!

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to three months. For dough, scoop and freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds. The chocolate chips melt again, and the centers turn dreamy and warm. For a whole batch, reheat briefly in a 300°F oven until just warmed through.

FAQs

How do I keep my chocolate chip cookies chewy?

Using both brown sugar and cornstarch creates that perfect chewy texture. Don’t overbake; pull the cookies out when the centers still look slightly soft—they’ll set as they cool.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Absolutely! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to about 1/4 teaspoon so your cookies won’t taste too salty. The flavor will still be fantastic.

What’s the best way to freeze the dough?

Roll the dough into individual balls and freeze in a single layer until solid. Then, store them in a freezer bag. You can bake The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies right from frozen—how easy is that?

Can I add nuts or swap the chocolate chips?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a mix of dark and milk chocolate chips work beautifully. Just keep total mix-ins to about 2 cups to maintain the texture.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

This can happen if your butter was too warm or if you skipped chilling the dough. For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking as suggested in the recipe notes.

Final Thoughts

There’s a special joy in pulling a tray of fresh cookies from the oven and knowing you’ve just made The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies from scratch. This recipe is a beloved classic for a reason, and I can’t wait for you to try them at home—don’t be surprised if they become your new signature treat!

The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate comfort treat with these chewy chocolate chip cookies. Perfectly soft and loaded with gooey chocolate chips, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake: Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are golden and centers are slightly underbaked.
Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.