Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are the ultimate comfort treat—crisp edges, chewy centers, and loaded with gooey chocolate chips. The perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavor makes them a family favorite that never disappoints.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe uses a combination of melted butter and two sugars to create rich flavor and tender chewiness, while the addition of an extra egg yolk and a bit of cornstarch ensures these cookies stay soft and thick. The result is cookie perfection with every bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 cup melted unsalted butter (cooled to warm)

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• 2 cups semi‑sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.

3. Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.

5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.

6. Stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

7. Scoop dough into 2‑tablespoon balls and place 2 inches apart on parchment‑lined baking sheets.

8. Bake 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers look slightly underbaked.

9. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

• Yields approximately 24 large cookies

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Bake time: 10–12 minutes per batch

• Cooling time: 5 minutes on the sheet + optional 5 minutes on wire rack

• Total time: About 30 minutes

Variations

• Salted Caramel Twist: Top with a flake of sea salt after baking.

• Dark Chocolate Lover’s Version: Replace semi‑sweet with dark chocolate chips.

• Nutty Addition: Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

• Peanut Butter Chocolate: Fold in ½ cup peanut butter chips.

• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip: Substitute ½ cup of flour with rolled oats for a hearty twist.

Storage/reheating

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Refrigerator: Keep in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag up to 3 months; allow to thaw at room temperature.

• To reheat: Warm in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes or microwave on a low setting for 10–15 seconds for a fresh-baked feel.

FAQs

1. Can I use all brown sugar instead of both sugars?

Yes—using all brown sugar will make cookies softer and more caramel-like, though they may spread slightly more.

2. Why add cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps the cookies stay thick and soft by absorbing moisture and preventing excess spread.

3. Can I chill the dough?

Absolutely. Chilling for 30 minutes to an hour enhances flavor and prevents spreading. Chilling overnight gives even deeper flavor.

4. Why bake until centers look underbaked?

Removing them while centers are slightly soft ensures a chewy texture once cookies cool.

5. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes; reduce added salt to ⅛ teaspoon if using salted butter to avoid over-seasoning.

6. Can I substitute dark brown sugar?

Yes—dark brown sugar offers a richer molasses flavor, resulting in deeper taste and moister texture.

7. How do I make smaller cookies?

Simply use a 1‑tablespoon scoop and reduce baking time to 8–10 minutes.

8. How do I prevent cookies from getting too flat?

Chill the dough, use parchment or silicone mats, and avoid over-mixing once the flour is added.

9. Can I use different chocolate chips?

Yes; white chocolate, milk chocolate, or specialty chips all work well.

10. Are these cookies freezable before baking?

Yes—shape dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Conclusion

These best-ever chocolate chip cookies are a crowd-pleasing classic with a perfect balance of gooey centers, crisp edges, and rich flavor. Easy to customize and ideal for sharing, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your baking collection. Enjoy every bite!