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Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

4.7 from 75 reviews

This recipe for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies yields classic, chewy cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness, rich flavors from brown and white sugar, and a delightful crunch from chopped walnuts. The cookies are soft in the center with crisp edges and loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons hot water

Mix-ins

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring proper incorporation for a tender cookie texture.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the two large eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, making sure the mixture is well combined and smooth.
  4. Dissolve Baking Soda: Dissolve the baking soda in two teaspoons of hot water, then add this mixture along with the salt to the batter, mixing thoroughly to distribute evenly.
  5. Incorporate Flour: Gradually blend in the all-purpose flour a cup at a time, stirring continuously to achieve a smooth, thick dough without overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
  6. Add Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough for consistent flavor and texture.
  7. Form Cookies: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are nicely golden brown, but centers remain soft.
  9. Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, which helps the cookies set perfectly.

Notes

  • For softer cookies, bake closer to 10 minutes; for crispier edges, bake up to 12 minutes.
  • Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or omitted for nut-free cookies.
  • Using chilled dough helps reduce spreading and yields thicker cookies.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
  • Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal creaming with sugars.

Keywords: chocolate chip cookies, classic cookies, chewy cookies, homemade cookies, baked cookies, walnut cookies