The Best Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Published: Apr 3, 2024 by Deborah Rainford · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

These soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are the only recipe you will ever need. They are slightly crispy around the edges and perfectly chewy in the centre, all wrapped around gooey chocolate chips (chunks). All the ingredients for this recipe are available at Aldi UK.

These easy one-bowl chocolate chunk cookies were the inspiration for my chocolate chip cookie bars and these white chocolate chip cookies. If you'd like something more decadent, then these chocolate biscuits are exactly what you need, and if you are looking for something a little more wholesome these oatmeal raisin cookies are delicious.

Jump to:

⭐️ Why this recipe works
🧾 Ingredients overview
👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it
📖 Variations
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
❓Recipe FAQ's
The Best Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

⭐️ Why this recipe works

Perfect texture: Achieves the ideal balance between chewy and crispy, making it a hit with all age groups.
Versatile: Offers a range of substitutions and variations to cater to different dietary needs and taste preferences.
Simple ingredients: Uses common pantry staples, making it easy to whip up a batch anytime.
Family favourite: Time-tested recipe that's been perfected for a classic taste that feels like home.

🧾 Ingredients overview

Chocolate chunks or chips: The star of the show, adding sweet, melty goodness. Dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate work beautifully.
Plain flour (all-purpose flour): Provides structure for the cookies.
Brown sugar & white sugar: A mix of sugars offers depth of flavour and affects texture—brown for moisture and white for crispiness.
Butter (salted or unsalted are both fine): Adds richness and tender texture. Can be substituted with non-dairy butter or spread for a lactose-free option.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances flavour, adding a warm, aromatic depth. Try this homemade vanilla extract recipe if you'd like to make your own.
Baking soda: The leavening agent that gives the cookies their lift and spread.
Baking powder: Works in conjunction with baking soda to ensure the cookies rise perfectly during baking, making them light and fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavour profile.

For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it

Chocolate chip cookies recipe step-by-step

Melting Butter & Blending with Sugar: Start by mixing brown and white sugars in a bowl. Melt the butter and pour it over the sugars, mixing until combined. Light brown sugar is preferred for its mild flavour, but dark brown works for a richer taste.
Eggs and Flour: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Then, fold in the flour gently to avoid overmixing, which keeps the batter smooth.

Choosing Chocolate: Personalize with your choice of chocolate—chopped bars for a robust flavour or chips for convenience. Stir your selection into the dough.
Dough Options: Bake immediately for soft cookies, or refrigerate the dough to deepen flavours. This guide uses the immediate baking method for convenience.

Preparing for Baking: Form 2-inch dough balls using a scoop or hands, and place them on a baking sheet, spaced 4 inches apart. Sprinkle with sea salt for flavour contrast.
Baking: Bake at a preheated temperature for about 12 minutes until the edges are slightly crispy and the centre is soft. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

📖 Variations

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose flour.
Nutty flavour: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch.
Double chocolate: Mix in milk or white chocolate chips or chunks.

🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers

Fridge: You can store cookie dough in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking or deciding to freeze them.
Freezer: If you decide to freeze the dough for later, roll it into balls and store them in the freezer. They can be baked directly from frozen, making sure your oven is preheated and ready.

💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips

Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for chocolate chip cookie success.

Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
Chill the dough: Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can enhance the flavour and texture.
Don’t overmix: Mix until just combined to avoid tough cookies.
Measure flour correctly: If you are using standard US measurements, use the spoon-and-level method to measure your flour. Overmeasuring flour is a common mistake that can lead to cookies that are too dense.
Underbaking slightly: For cookies that stay soft and gooey in the middle, remove them from the oven when they're just set and still look a bit underdone in the centre. They'll continue to cook on the baking sheet outside the oven.
Salt is key: Don’t skip the sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking. It balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavour.
Check your oven temperature: Oven temperatures can be inaccurate, so using an oven thermometer can ensure your cookies bake perfectly every time.
Cooling properly: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This allows them to set without becoming too hard.
Storing for freshness: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.

❓Recipe FAQ's

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.

How do I make my cookies chewy?

Use the correct amount of brown sugar and avoid overbaking.

Can I use self-rising flour instead of plain or (all-purpose flour)?

Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, so it can alter the texture and taste of your cookies. It's best to stick with plain or all-purpose flour and add leavening agents as the recipe specifies for optimal results.

How do I ensure my cookies come out the same size?

Use a cookie scoop for consistent sizing. This not only ensures uniform cooking times but also that your cookies will look uniform, perfect for serving at gatherings.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

Flat cookies can result from several factors, including too much butter, sugar, or using warm dough. Ensure your butter is melted but not hot, measure ingredients accurately, and chill the dough if time allows.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to add nuts or dried fruit to the dough before baking.

More easy cookie recipes:

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