The best chocolate chip cookies are bakery-style thick with soft, chewy centers and crisp golden brown edges. A simple classic cookie recipe with perfect results every time!
Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Homemade chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorite things and this recipe is both simple and delicious! Try oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for a lighter side, cowboy cookies for a loaded version, Levain cookies for bakery style or indulgent brown butter chocolate chip cookies!
These cookies taste amazing and are super soft and chewy just the way a chocolate chip cookie should be! They’re not as flat as a Nestle Toll House cookie recipe, but are perfectly crispy on the edges and filled with sweet gooey chocolate chips in every bite. Everyone who tries them declares them the best cookies!
Key Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Unsalted butter: You want the butter barely softened by the time you need to cream it. We’re using unsalted so we can control the amount added to the dough. Learn tips for how to soften butter quickly.
- Brown and White sugar: I love to use a combination of both to bring out the best flavors.
- All-purpose flour: For amazing texture, be sure measure the flour correctly using the the spoon and level method.
- Pure vanilla extract: Make sure you’re using the real stuff to really amplify the flavor.
- Chocolate chips: I love using a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. If I have chocolate chunks on hand, I love to add some of those as well.
- Flake sea salt: If you have some on hand, I love to sprinkle it on top right when they come out the oven.
A Simple Secret Ingredient
Have you guessed what the secret ingredient is that helps makes these cookies so delicious? Cornstarch! You won’t find this ingredient in most traditional classic recipes, but boy does it make a difference in these and my mini chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Making this chocolate chip cookie recipe with cornstarch helps make the texture extra thick and delicious. It’s an easy way to elevate your cookies without hardly any work. If you don’t have corn starch on hand, you can add an extra Tablespoon or two of flour in its place.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mix the wet ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until nice and smooth. Then mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients. To the same bowl, add 1/2 of the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and cornstarch. Mix until just combined and then add in the remaining flour and chocolate chips. Be careful not to over mix.
- Scoop. Use a medium cookie scoop (or ice cream scoop) to scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets. I like to line mine with parchment paper.
- Bake. Put the pan in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden brown. For softer cookies take them out a little early, and for crispier cookies, let them bake a little longer. Then move to a cooling rack.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here are some delicious tips for making these chocolate chip cookies even better!
- Measuring flour. It may seem simple, but have you learned how to accurately measure flour? By spooning the flour into a measuring cup and then using a knife to level it off, you’re guaranteed the perfect amount of flour each time.
- Scooping and rolling. I like to use a large cookie scoop and then roll the dough into a ball. Then I’ll press extra chocolate chips onto the tops. This recipe will make 24 cookies with a large cookie scoop and 36 total with a medium scoop.
- Avoid sinking. I find that mixing the chocolate chips in with the flour helps them not sink to the bottom.
- No chips? All out of chocolate chips? Make these chocolate chipless cookies instead!
- Removing from oven. When you remove cookies from the oven, let them set on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before adding to a cooling rack. The centers may look a tad bit underdone at first, but they’ll continue to bake as they cool and the edges will remain perfectly crispy.
- Want a bar cookie instead? Make these chocolate chip cookie bars!
Recipe FAQ
Use quality ingredients, especially butter. Add a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate or chop from a chocolate bar. Add flaky sea salt on top or make M&M cookies with both chocolate chips and M&Ms!
More white sugar creates crispier cookies and more brown sugar created chewier cookies. Baking the cookies longer will also yield a crunchier cookie.
Make sure to add enough flour. Also, make sure to refrigerate the dough before baking. Cornstarch will also help them from falling flat. I love how using discard makes these sourdough chocolate chip cookies bit more soft and chewy!
Yes, I would absolutely recommend that you chill the cookie dough if you have the time. I like to refrigerate mine for at least 30 to 60 minutes before baking. By chilling the dough, the cookies are less likely to spread and will result in a thicker consistency. It also brings the flavors together. And who doesn’t love soft, chewy and ultra thick cookies?
If you don’t have time, don’t worry, they’ll still taste amazing! They may just spread a bit more while they cook.
Storing & Freezing
- To store: These will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To freeze cookie dough: Scoop the dough into balls, then flash freeze on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then add to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Baking from frozen: I usually bake straight from frozen. While the oven preheats, let the cookie dough sit on the baking sheet as it warms. Then bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the original baking time if needed.
- Freezing baked cookies: Once they have cooled, add to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Then thaw on the counter for a couple of hours until no longer frozen.
More chocolate chip cookie recipes include these chocolate chip pudding cookies, chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles or Neiman Marcus cookies.
More Chocolate Chip Cookies
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter , barely softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs , cold
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour , spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt , or 1 teaspoon kosher
- 1 -2 cups chocolate chips , I prefer to mix semi-sweet and milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat just until combined once the eggs are added, you don't want to over mix.
- Add the flour, baking soda, salt and cornstarch and mix on low. I like to slowly mix in the chocolate chips with the last cup of flour. Be careful not over mix. If the dough is too sticky add an extra Tablespoon or two of flour. Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes if time allows.
- Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart. Place extra chocolate chips on the top of the cookies if desired.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to set on pan for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove cookies to a cooling rack. Serve while warm if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cookies, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Oh my goodness, you aren’t kidding about these being the BEST chocolate chip cookies. I struggle with making CCC’s that turn out the way my husband likes them, but these are absolutely perfect! From my husband and myself- thank you, thank you, thank you!
I love this! Thanks so much for your comment Shannon! I’m so glad you and your family enjoy the chocolate chip cookies :)
Amazing cookie recipe. My new CC cookie staple. On the other hand I need those kitchen canisters in your post. Adorable!
Made these today with 1 cup semisweet chips, 1/2 cup heath pieces and 1/2 cup caramels. Absolutely delicious! Your recipes never disappoint.
Thank you Lindsey!
My son( who is 5) informed me I need to be a cookie baker because these are the best cookies. I have made many I heart nap time recipes and they are always great. And I think these are top pick of the family.
Thank you for the kind comment Ashley! I’m so glad you and your son loved the cookies :)
When she says the best, they really are. I always made toll house cookies but these are sooo much better. These are a staple in my house and everyone wants me to bring these to parties. The dough freezes great too. Just take a couple out of the freezer and bake them up. Always hot and fresh cookies at my house.
Yay! So glad you’ve enjoyed our chocolate chip cookies!
Delicious! Received many compliments on these. Thanks!!
I made these today and have to say they are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made. The cornstarch made a world of difference. Henceforth these will always be in my freezer ready to bake. Thanks for the recipe.
The absolute best chocolate chip cookies! My go to recipe is no longer the nestle tollhouse package, but they are the iHeart Naptime recipe instead. So good!!
Oh, that is so sweet of you to say! Thank you so much! I am so glad that you love these chocolate chip cookies!
I make these cookies all the time and they are always a hit! I made them for a church auction tonight for our youth group and they went for $200!
Wow! That is a great auction night! So glad that you enjoyed these chocolate chip cookies.
This is one of the best cookies recipes I’ve tried yet! I just had to lower the sugar quantity cuz it was too sweet, but other than that it was a delight and my family devoured every piece.
So glad to hear you enjoyed the chocolate chip cookies! Thanks for your review :)
How much sugar did you use
Fantastic recipe!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Can I sub M&Ms for the chocolate chips? I would like to make these for coworker gifts for the holidays. Thanks! Can’t wait to try these!
Yes, definitely! I prefer to do a mix of m&m’s and chocolate chips though :)
Delicious flavor love the texture..grandkids loved them
So glad your grandkids loved them :)
These were the best chocolate chip cookies. I have been baking g for many years but have never been able to get the cookies so nice and plump. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful.receipe. Cathie
I love to hear this, Cathie. So glad you found a recipe that works for you!
Haven’t tasted yet are baking right now but look & smell AMAZING also i added sprinkles
Fun! I hope you love them :)
SO DELICIOUS!!
I have been trying out a bunch of different chocolate chip recipes. I LOOOOVEEEE this one and will be making these again for sure! Super tasty, great consistency and cook nice too!
Yay, I’m so glad to hear! Thanks for your review Kelsey :D
This is my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe! They turn out perfect every time!💗
So glad to hear! Thanks for your review Emily!