Name: Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup butter barely melted but not too hot; ¾ cup light brown sugar packed; ⅔ cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1 large egg; 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (half chips and half chunks optional); Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 31 reviews

There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm cookies fresh from the oven, right? Today, I’m excited to share my all-time favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that’s been a crowd-pleaser every single time I make it. These cookies strike the perfect balance of chewy centers and crisp edges, loaded with melty chocolate and a hint of sea salt that just elevates every bite. You’ll want to grab your mixing bowl and get baking because this recipe is seriously fan-freaking-tastic and foolproof!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The combination of barely melted butter and brown sugar creates that ideal chewiness inside with a slight crisp on the edges.
Flavor Booster: A splash of apple cider vinegar amps up the cookies’ depth without any tang.
Chocolate Lovers’ Dream: Using both chocolate chips and chunks means every bite surprises you with melty pockets or rich bites of chocolate.
Finishing Touch: Sprinkling coarse sea salt right after baking highlights the sweetness and makes these cookies utterly irresistible.

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Cookie Recipes - The image shows three chocolate chip cookies stacked on top of each other. Each cookie has a golden-brown edge with a soft, light tan center filled with melted dark brown chocolate chips. The cookies are placed on light brown parchment paper, spread on a smooth white marbled surface. The top cookie is in focus, showing its bumpy and slightly chewy texture with chocolate chips scattered unevenly across its surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients are straightforward, but each one plays a vital role. I always suggest using good-quality butter and fresh vanilla extract because they make a real difference in taste. Plus, don’t skip the sea salt on top — trust me, it’s a game changer!

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Cookie Recipes - Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking soda powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a slab of pale yellow butter, a small white bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, a small white bowl of glossy vanilla extract, a small white bowl of apple cider vinegar, one whole uncracked brown egg, a white ceramic dish holding a mix of semisweet chocolate chips and chunks, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure but still makes the cookie tender.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just right while keeping them soft inside.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
Butter (barely melted): Adds richness and moisture without making the dough oily.
Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel note for chewiness.
Granulated sugar: Helps with the crisp edges and sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor with aromatic warmth.
Apple cider vinegar: A little-known trick that reacts with baking soda to make cookies rise perfectly and taste more complex.
Large egg: Binds ingredients for that perfect texture.
Semisweet chocolate chips and chunks: The star ingredient that melts into pockets of creamy goodness.
Coarse sea salt: Sprinkled on top to balance sweetness and add that gourmet touch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about this Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is how easily it adapts to your preferences. I often mix up the chocolate with different types or add nuts, but it’s fun to make it your own.

Nuts: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans adds a wonderful crunch and nuttiness—I tried walnuts last winter, and it was a hit with my family.
Chocolate variations: Dunk the cookie dough with dark, milk, or white chocolate chips depending on what mood you’re in.
Diet-Friendly: To make these gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend.
Chewy vs. Crisper: For chewier cookies, bake 8 minutes; for crispier, try 10-11 minutes, but keep a close eye!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps the cookies from sticking and browning unevenly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures your leavening agent is evenly distributed so your cookies rise nicely.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter (barely melted, not hot!) with the light brown and granulated sugars. I use an electric mixer here for about 2 minutes until it’s smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and the apple cider vinegar next — that little splash is a personal secret that adds a subtle tang and aids rising. Then crack in your egg and mix until just combined, being careful not to overbeat.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the flour mixture into your butter mixture and stir just until combined — remember, don’t overmix or your cookies could turn out tough. Gently fold in your chocolate chips and chunks. You want each bite to have that satisfying chocolate hit!

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Using a large cookie scoop (I go for about 2 rounded tablespoons per cookie), drop dollops onto your parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow spreading. Pop them in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. They’ll look just lightly browned around the edges and slightly underdone in the center — that’s exactly what you want.

Step 5: Salt and Cool

The moment they come out of the oven, sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of coarse sea salt. The contrast of salty and sweet is unbeatable. Let them rest on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes — this cooling time helps them set and finish cooking on the inside. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm (no judgment here!).

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Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Butter Temperature: Melt the butter just enough so it’s soft but not hot — this helps your sugars dissolve properly for a smooth batter.
Don’t Overmix: When adding flour, fold gently to avoid gluten development that makes cookies tough.
Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking without burning the bottoms.
Salt Finish: Adding sea salt after baking highlights the sweetness and flavors in a way that just blows my mind every single time.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Easy Cookie Recipes - Two chocolate chip cookies sit on a white plate against a white marbled texture. The cookie in the front has a golden-brown edge with a slightly crisp look, while the center is soft and light brown with chunks of dark chocolate chips and pieces. There are a few grains of coarse salt sprinkled on top. Part of the front cookie is bitten, showing a soft, chocolate-filled inside. The background surface is a white marbled texture with a folded grey and white cloth partially visible underneath the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Whenever I serve these cookies, I love that subtle crunch from the sea salt flakes on top, but you can also try a light dusting of powdered sugar for a sweeter touch. For an extra treat, dunking them in cold milk is my absolute favorite–it’s a childhood throwback that never gets old.

Side Dishes

I usually keep it simple with a tall glass of milk, but these cookies also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a hot cup of coffee or tea. I sometimes serve them with homemade whipped cream or fresh berries for a cozy after-dinner treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or get-togethers, I like stacking these cookies into a little cookie tower, tied with a rustic twine bow. Another fun idea is to sandwich some creamy peanut butter or Nutella in between two cookies for instant cookie sandwiches–perfect party pleasers and simple to make!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies? I store mine in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. If you want to revive a cookie that’s gotten a bit hard, just pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds and it’s like freshly baked again.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver! I often freeze my cookie dough in scooped balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. When I want cookies, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

To reheat baked cookies and keep that just-out-of-the-oven texture, I pop them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes or microwave them briefly. This melts the chocolate a bit and softens the cookie, making each bite so comforting.

FAQs

Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil in the Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?

While you can technically use margarine or oil, I strongly recommend using real butter for this recipe. Butter provides the right moisture, flavor, and texture that margarine or oil can’t quite replicate, resulting in the perfect chew and richness.
Why do you add apple cider vinegar in the recipe?

Apple cider vinegar reacts with baking soda to create a subtle lift in the cookies, helping them rise and develop a more complex flavor. Don’t worry, there’s no vinegar taste in the finished cookies — it’s just a little secret that works wonders.
How do I make the cookies softer?

For softer cookies, bake them on the lower end of the baking time (8 minutes), and be sure not to overbake. Using brown sugar also helps because it retains moisture better than granulated sugar.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut make great additions. Just fold them in along with the chocolate chips to ensure even distribution.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is one I keep coming back to again and again because it’s reliable, delicious, and feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a little homemade comfort, these cookies never disappoint. I can’t wait for you to try making them and finding your personal twists—you’ll have your own “go-to” cookie recipe in no time, I promise!