BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

These chocolate chip cookies strike the perfect balance between crispy edges and a soft, gooey center. With no need to chill the dough, they come together quickly for an easy yet satisfying treat. Light brown sugar and granulated sugar work together to create a chewy center and crisp exterior, while semisweet chocolate chips provide rich sweetness. A touch of flaky sea salt on top enhances the chocolate, adding just the right savory note. These cookies are perfect for any time—whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or sharing at a gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups (170g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 3/4 tsp kosher salt

• 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed

• 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• 1 1/2 cups (250g) semisweet chocolate chips

• Flaky sea salt (for topping)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted and cooled butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar for 1–2 minutes until paste-like.

4. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture; whisk until smooth.

5. Fold in the dry ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined, with a few streaks of flour remaining.

6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing.

7. Scoop dough onto the baking sheet using a 2oz scoop or 1/4 cup measure, spacing them out.

8. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are puffed but slightly underdone.

9. Immediately after baking, sprinkle each cookie with extra chocolate chips and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

10. Cool cookies for 20 minutes before serving—they’re best slightly warm.

Nutritional Value (per cookie)

• Calories: 180

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 22g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 14g

• Sodium: 90mg

What Makes This Version the BEST?

While there are endless adaptations of the classic, this recipe focuses on three things: texture, flavor balance, and simplicity.

1. Texture Perfection
   The beauty of these cookies lies in their dynamic texture—golden, slightly crisp edges that gently yield to a soft, gooey center. Achieving this contrast requires a precise ratio of fats, sugars, and flour. The melted and cooled butter contributes to the chewy, dense center, while the exact baking time ensures the edges don’t overcrisp.

2. Flavor Balance
   A mix of light brown sugar and granulated sugar provides both caramel richness and structure. The semisweet chocolate chips melt just enough to create pockets of indulgent sweetness, while the finishing touch—a sprinkle of flaky sea salt—adds a sophisticated, savory balance that elevates the chocolate’s natural depth.

3. No Fuss, No Chill
   Many great cookie recipes ask you to chill the dough for hours, even overnight. While chilling can improve flavor and texture, it also creates a barrier between craving and satisfaction. This recipe skips the chilling step entirely—meaning you can have warm, bakery-quality cookies in under 30 minutes, start to finish.

The Science Behind Cookie Greatness

Baking may seem like an art, but the chocolate chip cookie is a playground of food science. Here’s a closer look at some of the chemistry at work:

• Melted Butter: By melting the butter, the water content activates the gluten in flour just enough to create structure. This also increases chewiness compared to creamed butter cookies, which tend to be cakier.

• Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar: Brown sugar contains molasses, which not only adds depth of flavor but also retains moisture, contributing to a softer cookie. The white sugar ensures spread and helps with caramelization.

• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: A combination of both leaveners ensures the cookies puff slightly and have a tender crumb without becoming cake-like.

• Egg Structure: Eggs serve as both binder and leavener. Their protein solidifies in the oven, giving structure to the cookie without making it dry.

• Sea Salt Finish: Salt doesn’t just enhance sweetness—it balances it. Sprinkling flaky sea salt after baking ensures bursts of salty contrast with every bite, creating a multi-dimensional flavor experience.

Versatility: Make It Yours

Another strength of this recipe is how adaptable it is to personal preferences or dietary needs:

• Add-Ins: Swap semisweet chips with dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate, toffee bits, or chopped nuts for added complexity.

• Texture Tweaks: Want a firmer cookie? Chill the dough for an hour before baking. Prefer ultra-gooey centers? Slightly underbake them and eat while warm.

• Dietary Options: This recipe works well with plant-based butter and flax eggs for a dairy-free or vegan-friendly version. Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to accommodate those with sensitivities.

• Mini or Mega: You can scoop these into mini bites for lunchbox-friendly cookies or shape them into large bakery-style portions for a more indulgent experience.

Storage and Serving Tips

Freshly baked, these cookies are unbeatable. But even after a few days, they maintain excellent texture and flavor if stored properly.

• Storage: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain softness.

• Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

• Serving: They’re delightful on their own, but even better warmed slightly and served with a glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Cookies for Every Occasion

What makes chocolate chip cookies such a universally loved dessert is their versatility in every setting. They’re casual enough for a weekday snack but special enough for celebrations. Here are just a few ways to incorporate these cookies into everyday life:

• Gifting: Package them in a simple paper box tied with twine for a thoughtful homemade gift.

• Dessert Boards: Add them to a spread of fruits, cheeses, and other small desserts for a modern dessert charcuterie board.

• Holidays: Dress them up with festive sprinkles or colored chocolate chips for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Halloween.

• Party Favors: Wrap them in individual bags with a printed recipe card—perfect for weddings, showers, or birthdays.

Conclusion

There’s a reason why people continue to search for the “best” chocolate chip cookie recipe—it’s the comfort food that speaks to our inner child while still satisfying adult palates. This version delivers everything a cookie lover wants: ease of preparation, flawless texture, rich chocolate flavor, and a sprinkle of magic from that final dash of sea salt.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself on a quiet night in, these cookies are always a good idea. And perhaps most importantly—they’re not just good the first time you try them. They’re the kind of cookie you’ll bake again and again, proudly calling them your “go-to” recipe.

Happy baking!