Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, Chewy & Packed with Chocolate

If you’re here for a chocolate chip cookie that’s soft, chewy, golden around the edges, and absolutely loaded with chocolate-you’ve just found your new forever favorite. This recipe isn’t just delicious-it’s reliable. It’s built for real life, real cravings, and real results.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, the goal here is simple: create a perfect cookie that delivers every time-without chilling the dough, melting butter, or complicating the process. The texture is just right: crisp on the edges, slightly gooey in the center, and rich with sweet, melty bites of chocolate in every single cookie.

And if you’re in the mood for something seasonal or playful, check out festive spins like Cadbury Egg Cookies or easy chocolate desserts like our St. Patrick’s Day Brownie Trifle-both guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

This is the kind of recipe that fits your day-not the other way around. It works for spontaneous cookie moments, weekend baking projects, or those “I need something sweet now” afternoons. No specialty ingredients. No stress. Just the joy of warm cookies on the table in under 30 minutes.

Serve them with a cold glass of milk, or go all in with a treat like the Copycat Shamrock Shake for full nostalgic bliss.

So if your goal is to have a cookie that always hits the mark-something dependable, nostalgic, and always gone too fast-this is it. Print it. Bookmark it. Make it part of your baking ritual.

💡 Because sometimes the best thing you can do is bake a really, really good cookie.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chocolate chip cookies are the kind you come back to over and over again. Here’s why:

✔️ No Chill Time Needed

This dough comes together fast and bakes immediately-perfect for last-minute cravings.

✔️ Soft, Chewy Center

Brown sugar and just the right amount of egg give these cookies a satisfying chew without being cakey.

✔️ Crispy Golden Edges

Baking at 350°F gives you that perfect outer crunch with a soft middle.

✔️ Packed with Chocolate

With 1+ cups of chocolate chips (or chunks), every bite delivers melty, sweet satisfaction.

✔️ Easy to Freeze

Make a double batch, scoop and freeze the dough, then bake from frozen whenever the craving hits.

💡 Pro Tip – Use a mix of chocolate chips and chopped dark chocolate for the perfect melt + structure combo.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1¼ cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (semi-sweet or dark)

• Optional: flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy-about 2–3 minutes.

3️⃣ Add Eggs & Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract until smooth.

4️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.

5️⃣ Fold in Chocolate

Stir in the chocolate chips (and chopped chocolate, if using). Don’t overmix-just fold until evenly distributed.

6️⃣ Scoop & Bake

Scoop dough into 1.5 tablespoon balls and space them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

7️⃣ Cool & Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.

Serve warm, store at room temp for 4–5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Recipe Variations

These cookies are endlessly customizable. Here are a few favorite ways to mix it up:

🔸 Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate

Use chopped dark chocolate and finish with flaky sea salt for a grown-up twist.

Perfect for: dinner parties or gifting.

🔸 Espresso Chocolate Chip

Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to the dough for a subtle coffee note that deepens the chocolate flavor.

Perfect for: late-night bakes or cozy rainy days.

🔸 S’mores Cookies

Stir in crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows for a gooey twist on a fireside classic.

Perfect for: weekends, camping vibes, and nostalgic treats.

🔸 Brown Butter Boost

Brown the butter before mixing for a rich, nutty depth. Chill the dough slightly before baking for best results.

Perfect for: special occasions or serious cookie lovers.

🔸 Mix-In Madness

Swap half the chocolate for chopped nuts, dried cherries, or butterscotch chips.

Perfect for: pantry clean-out days or flavor experiments.

💡 Pro Tip – For a bakery-style look, press a few chocolate chips into the tops of each dough ball before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These are the little details that make your chocolate chip cookies consistently delicious-whether it’s your first batch or your hundredth.

Can I freeze chocolate chip cookie dough❓

Yes! Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Bake straight from frozen-just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

How do I keep cookies soft after baking❓

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread (yes, really!). The moisture from the bread helps keep the cookies soft for days.

Can I use all brown sugar instead of a mix❓

Definitely. Using all brown sugar will make the cookies extra chewy and give a slightly deeper, caramelized flavor. Great for chewy cookie lovers.

What kind of chocolate is best❓

A mix of chocolate chips and chopped chocolate chunks gives the best texture-some melty pockets, some structure. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works best for balance.

Why are my cookies spreading too much❓

If your butter is too soft or the dough too warm, cookies may spread too much. Try chilling the dough for 15–20 minutes before baking, especially in warm kitchens.

Can I make them dairy-free❓

Yes! Use a plant-based butter substitute and dairy-free chocolate chips. The result is still chewy, golden, and delicious.

Can I make them gluten-free❓

Absolutely. Just use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The cookies will still spread and bake beautifully.

Conclusion – The Cookie That Always Delivers

These chocolate chip cookies aren’t just a recipe-they’re a ritual. A moment of comfort in the middle of a busy day. The smell that fills the kitchen, the bite that melts just enough, the still-warm tray cooling on the counter. It’s the kind of baking that doesn’t need a special occasion-because the cookie is the occasion.

With crisp edges, chewy centers, and chocolate in every bite, they’re the kind of classic you’ll turn to again and again. Whether you’re baking them for a crowd, a care package, or a quiet night in, they always deliver that just-right, soul-soothing sweetness.

💡 Because no matter the day, a really good cookie makes everything just a little better.

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