Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies are a timeless favorite for a reason. This simple and delightful recipe yields cookies that are soft, chewy, and filled with gooey chocolate chips. Perfect for any occasion—from family gatherings to cozy nights in—these cookies bring joy with every bite. You’ll love how easy they are to make and how they fill your home with an irresistible aroma.

Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tools and Preparation
- Essential Tools and Equipment
- Importance of Each Tool
- Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough
- How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Step 2: Prepare Baking Sheets
- Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
- Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Step 6: Combine Mixtures
- Step 7: Stir in Chocolate Chips
- Step 8: Shape Cookies
- Step 9: Bake Cookies
- Step 10: Cool Down
- How to Serve Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- With a Glass of Milk
- Warm from the Oven
- Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Topped with Sea Salt
- As Part of a Dessert Platter
- How to Perfect Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Side Dishes for Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage
- Freezing Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Reheating Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
- How do I make my cookies chewier?
- What if I don’t have sea salt?
- Can I add nuts to my homemade chocolate chip cookies?
- Final Thoughts
- 📖 Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe requires no chilling time, letting you whip up a batch of cookies in just about 30 minutes.
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: The combination of butter, sugars, and the right baking techniques ensures each cookie is soft and chewy.
- Rich Flavor: With both granulated and brown sugar, you get a perfect balance of sweetness and depth in flavor.
- Versatile Treat: Enjoy them as-is or customize with nuts or different types of chocolate for a personal touch.
- Family-Friendly: Kids love helping out in the kitchen, making this a great baking project for families.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the deliciousness of Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies, it’s essential to gather the right tools. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Importance of Each Tool
- Electric mixer: Helps achieve a light and fluffy batter quickly, ensuring even mixing.
- Baking sheets: Provides an even surface for baking, allowing your cookies to bake uniformly.
Ingredients
This classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is simple, delicious, and easy to make—no chilling required! The cookies turn out perfectly soft and chewy every time, with a rich, buttery flavor and plenty of chocolate chips.
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz)

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly from start to finish.
Step 2: Prepare Baking Sheets
Line three baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and help them bake evenly.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside this mixture for later use.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the batter is light and fluffy (about 1 minute).
Step 6: Combine Mixtures
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 7: Stir in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 8: Shape Cookies
Roll 2-3 tablespoons of dough into balls. Place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 9: Bake Cookies
Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be golden brown while the centers may look slightly underbaked.
Step 10: Cool Down
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies!
How to Serve Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Homemade chocolate chip cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them at home, these cookies are versatile and sure to please everyone.
With a Glass of Milk
- Pairing classic cookies with cold milk enhances the flavor and creates a comforting combination.
Warm from the Oven
- Serve your cookies warm for that fresh-baked experience. The chocolate will be melty, adding to the deliciousness.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Use two cookies to create an ice cream sandwich. Choose your favorite ice cream flavor for a fun and indulgent dessert.
Topped with Sea Salt
- Sprinkle a little sea salt on top of warm cookies to elevate their sweetness and add a savory touch.
As Part of a Dessert Platter
- Arrange homemade chocolate chip cookies alongside other treats like brownies and fruit for a colorful dessert spread.
How to Perfect Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
To achieve the best homemade chocolate chip cookies, follow these simple tips that will enhance your baking game.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing, resulting in softer cookies.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping it directly; this prevents dense cookies.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined to keep the texture light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill Your Dough (If Time Allows): While this recipe doesn’t require chilling, letting the dough rest for 30 minutes can improve flavor and texture.
- Bake in Batches: Bake one tray at a time for even cooking and ensure they don’t spread too much.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Try adding nuts, oats, or different types of chocolate for unique flavors in each batch.

Best Side Dishes for Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Homemade chocolate chip cookies can be complemented by various side dishes that bring out their sweet flavors. Here are some tasty options you might consider serving alongside your cookies.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic pairing that enhances the cookie’s sweetness while providing a creamy texture.
- Fruit Salad: Fresh fruits add brightness and balance the richness of the cookies, making for a refreshing side.
- Hot Cocoa: A warm drink that goes hand-in-hand with cookies, perfect for cozy evenings.
- Cheese Plate: A selection of cheeses can provide an interesting contrast to sweet cookies, especially with sharp varieties.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel over cookies or serve on the side for dipping; it adds decadence to each bite.
- Coffee: Brewed coffee offers a nice bitterness that pairs well with sweet treats, enhancing their flavors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making the perfect Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies is easier than you think, but a few common mistakes can lead to less-than-ideal results. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Skipping the butter softening: Using cold butter can lead to dense cookies. Always soften your butter to room temperature for a fluffy texture.
- Not measuring flour correctly: Too much flour can make cookies dry. Use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour accurately.
- Overmixing the dough: Mixing too long can develop gluten and lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined for a soft chew.
- Ignoring oven temperature accuracy: An oven that’s too hot can burn the edges. Always preheat and use an oven thermometer for best results.
- Baking on unlined sheets: Not using parchment paper may cause cookies to stick or burn. Line your baking sheets for easy removal and cleanup.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking.
Freezing Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Freeze cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container.
- They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F and warm cookies for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Microwave: Heat one cookie at a time for about 10-15 seconds for a quick warm-up.
- Stovetop: Place in a pan over low heat, covering it with a lid, and warm for about 2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about making Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Yes! Dark chocolate chips will give your cookies a richer flavor without being overly sweet.
How do I make my cookies chewier?
To achieve chewier cookies, try using more brown sugar than white sugar and slightly underbake them.
What if I don’t have sea salt?
Regular table salt can be used as a substitute; just use slightly less since it’s finer.
Can I add nuts to my homemade chocolate chip cookies?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans add great texture and flavor; simply mix them in with the chocolate chips.
Final Thoughts
These Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful treat that everyone loves. Their soft and chewy texture makes them irresistible! Feel free to customize your batch by adding nuts or different types of chocolate chips. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or stored for later, these cookies are sure to please any crowd.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
PrintHomemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bake up a batch of irresistible Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies that will fill your home with a delightful aroma and create sweet memories. This easy recipe yields soft, chewy cookies loaded with gooey chocolate chips, making them perfect for any occasion—from family gatherings to cozy nights in. With no chilling time required, you can have warm cookies ready in just about 30 minutes! Enjoy them fresh from the oven or customize with your favorite mix-ins for a personal touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden brown; let cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie / approx. 30g
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg