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Our best chocolate chip cookie recipe is soft, chewy, delicious and perfect for any occasion. They’re our all-time FAVORITE!

A stack of best chocolate chip cookies on a white plate.
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We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love COOKIES! More specifically, we have yet to meet someone who hasn’t fallen in love with our best chocolate chip cookie recipe.

We got this recipe decades ago from a family friend, and it’s been loved and adored ever since. We’ve made a few tweaks along the way, and any time we make these cookies, we are asked for the recipe right away.

It uses butter, two types of sugar and two types of chocolate chips. The result is extra soft and chewy cookies with the PERFECT chocolate-y flavor! We have a feeling once you try it, that it will definitely be your go-to chocolate chip cookie.

Be sure to check out some of our other chewy, easy chocolate chip cookie recipes, like: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies or cookie classics like Snickerdoodles and Sugar Cookies.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Simple steps. These are made in minutes and use pantry staples! No special ingredients are needed for fabulous flavor.
  • SO tasty! This classic chocolate chip cookie is soft, chewy, and delicious. It’s simply the best!
  • Dress it up. We use this recipe as the base for almost every cookie recipe I make.
Flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, chocolate chips on a kitchen counter. Ingredients for chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar – For a chewier cookie decrease the white sugar to ½ cup and increase the brown sugar to 1½ cup.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter – see How to Soften Butter Quickly. Or use ½ cup softened butter and ½ cup vegetable oil.
  • 2 large eggs – room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – or almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour – see How to Measure Flour
  • 2 cups chocolate chips – Use any type or combination of milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or chocolate chunks. We always do one cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and one cup milk chocolate chips.
  • optional toppings – top with sprinkles or flaky sea salt

How to make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

  1. PREHEAT. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. BATTER. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup brown sugar until combined well (a few minutes). Add 2 eggs and mix on low speed until fluffy (a few more minutes).
    • In a medium bowl, add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt. Add dry ingredients and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until combined. Add 2 cups chocolate chips (we love semi-sweet + milk chocolate).
  3. BAKE. Scoop cookie dough balls onto a prepared cookie sheet. The key to making the cookies look pretty is to add a few extra chocolate chips on top of the balls of dough. Bake for 9-11 minutes (or until golden brown) and cool on cookie racks or a wire rack.

Kristyn’s Tips for Perfect Chocolate CHip Cookies

  • MAKE ‘EM BEAUTIFUL – Add a mix of chocolate chips on top of your dough balls before baking. Once out of the oven, use the back end of a metal spatula to round out the cookie and add any more chips on top of the cookie in empty spots.
  • SIZE – For bite-size cookies, use a mini scoop and bake for 6-7 minutes. For a bakery-style cookie, double scoop (one scoop on bottom and another on top) and bake for 12-14 minutes.
  • NO-FAIL BASE – Use this delicious cookie dough base for all your cookie needs – Cookie Cake, Pizookie, and any other cookie combo needed. We love adding nuts, M&Ms, different chips and more!
Chocolate chip cookies on baking sheet with spatula rounding out cookie edges.

We all know everyone likes their cookies a certain way – whether it’s soft, crunchy, large, small, chewy, crunchy, etc. Here are some tips to change up some things to get them just how you like them.

  • SIZE – Use a mini cookie scoop and bake for less or a larger cookie scoop and bake for longer to change up the size of cookies.
  • FLAVOR – change it up by adding different chocolate chips (caramel chips, peanut butter chips, mint chips, etc). We love the white chocolate chip + butterscotch chip combo!!
  • CHEWINESS – Instead of 1 cup sugar + 1 cup brown sugar, try using 1/2 cup sugar + 1 1/2 cups brown sugar. Or you can use dark brown sugar, which has more molasses and will make them the best chewy chocolate chip cookies.
  • DRY-NESS – DO NOT pack your flour. Fluff flour and then spoon into measuring cup making sure to level off before adding to your cookie dough. Any more than 3 cups is too much flour and will make the dough too dry.
  • CRISPY-NESS – If you prefer a cookie with crisp edges, you’ll need to reduce the moisture content. Try using one of these tips:
    • Bake the cookies for longer at a lower temperature. The cookies will have time to spread out more before they firm up.
    • Replace the brown sugar with white sugar or corn syrup. Without the moisture contained in brown sugar they will become more dry and crispy.
A stack of best chocolate chip cookie recipe on a white plate.
4.99 from 330 votes

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Our best chocolate chip cookie recipe is soft, chewy, delicious and perfect for any occasion. They're our all-time FAVORITE!
Servings: 36 cookies
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or ½ cup butter plus ½ cup vegetable oil)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups chocolate chips, semisweet, milk, dark or a mix

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set aside.
  • In a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer in a large bowl), cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for a few minutes. Add eggs and beat until fluffy (a few more minutes).
  • In a medium bowl, add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt. Add dry ingredients and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Fold in chocolate chips (we prefer one cup semi-sweet and one cup milk chocolate chips). Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough, and roll into balls. Place onto the prepared baking sheet and top dough balls with extra chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 9–11 minutes.
  • While still warm, use the back end of a metal spatula to round out the cookies and add any more chips needed. Sprinkle on flaky sea salt if desired. Let cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a rack to cool.

Video

Notes

Pretty cookies. The key to making the cookies look pretty is to add a few chocolate chips on top of the scooped or rolled cookie dough before baking. Use a metal spatula to round out of the cookies once removed from the oven. Add any more chocolate chips, if needed and sprinkle on flaky sea salt, if desired.
Store cookie dough. Cover the dough with plastic and store in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for 2 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 182kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 108mg, Potassium: 36mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 193IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store the cookie dough?

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for 2 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips and how to bake frozen dough balls.

How to store chocolate chip cookies?

Cool and store the cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.99 from 330 votes (85 ratings without comment)

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543 Comments

  1. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. The original recipe is so delicious. The cookies are nice and soft. I’ve made it with 1 cup of butter instead of using 1/2 c oil and they turn out just as fantastic. I’ve also used almond extract in place of the vanilla with white chocolate chips. My family always asks me to bring these to every gathering we have. Its the easiest and best recipe that I’ve found.

  2. Samantha says:

    5 stars
    These cookies are delicious! I’m currently pregnant and I’ve been craving delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies, plus I love to bake! So I’ve been trying different recipes but these are my new favorite! They are exactly how I like my cookies…. gooey and chocolatey! Definitely my new favorite recipe. Thanks!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am so with you!! It’s hard for me to try other recipes, when I know I love this one so much! I am so glad you liked them! Thank you!

  3. Karsyn says:

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe so many times that I’ve memorized it! They are super soft and always a big hit when I bring them to events. I get asked for the recipe all the time!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I love to hear that & I agree..they are always a hit! Thank you so much!

  4. Joy says:

    5 stars
    These are by far the best chocolate chip cookies! It is our go-to recipe & they are always a hit!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Love to hear that!! Thank you so much!

  5. susan inman says:

    5 stars
    I love cookie and that are easy to make up with the children, this one is so good to do with them and to make and carry out places.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      It sure is & they will love them! Have fun & enjoy!

  6. Roberta Skaja says:

    Can your chocolate chip cookie recipe be made into bars?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I have not tried, but I don’t see why not? 🙂 Let me know how they turn out, if you try that! Thanks!

  7. Kristie says:

    So very fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you think so!! And, glad to share! Thank you 🙂

  8. Jennifer says:

    5 stars
    I made these cookies today. I substitited Splenda sugar & Splenda Brown Sugar, & Hersheys Sugar Free Chocolate Chips. So soft, so good. Will be making these again. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So glad to share!! Thanks for sharing what you did 🙂 I am glad you liked them.

  9. Laura says:

    5 stars
    I’m not usually one to go for chocolate chip cookies, but when I found this recipe…it’s all I ever bake! I love them. I’m actually about to bake some and was wondering if I wanted to add peanut butter, if that would work out and how much I would add?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am happy to hear you love them!! I haven’t added peanut butter to this recipe, but I would maybe start with 1/2 cup? Let me know what you think!

  10. Faith R. SMith says:

    How come i can’t “print ” your recipes. It closes out before I have a chance to print???

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am sorry, I wish I knew. I don’t have that problem on my end, so I’m not sure??