These Soft-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies are like little pillows of happiness! With gooey chocolate bits and a soft texture, each bite melts in your mouth.
I mean, who can resist a cookie that’s basically a hug from the oven? 🍪 I love enjoying them warm with a glass of milk—pure joy on a plate!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the main ingredient for structure. If you’re gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend, but it may change the texture slightly.
Unsalted butter: I always prefer unsalted butter for better control over the cookie’s saltiness. If you want a dairy-free option, coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute can work too.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth to the cookies. Use light or dark brown sugar based on your taste preference! If you don’t have any, try using white sugar mixed with a bit of molasses.
Chocolate chips: For a classic taste, semisweet chocolate chips are perfect, but you can also use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate. Mix in some nuts for added crunch if you like!
How Do I Achieve Soft and Chewy Cookies?
A common challenge is wanting cookies that are soft and chewy rather than dry or crispy. Here are some tips to help you get it just right:
- Use melted butter instead of softened cold butter—it helps cookies spread more and remain tender.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the dry ingredients; mixing too much can lead to tougher cookies.
- Underbake slightly! Take them out when the edges look set but the centers are still soft, as they continue to firm up while cooling.
Soft-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare, followed by 12 to 15 minutes of baking time. Allow an additional 5 minutes of cooling time on the baking sheets, making the total time around 30 to 40 minutes to enjoy warm cookies fresh from the oven!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prep:
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). While that’s warming up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent the cookies from sticking. This makes cleanup easier too!
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This will make sure all the dry ingredients are well mixed and ready to combine with the wet ingredients. Set this bowl aside for now.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a larger bowl, add the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir everything together until it looks smooth and creamy. This step is key to getting a nice, soft texture in your cookies!
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Now, it’s time to enhance that mixture! Add in the vanilla extract, the large egg, and the extra egg yolk. Mix well until everything is combined and creamy again.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
Gently add the dry ingredients you whisked together earlier into the wet mixture. Stir them together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough instead of soft.
6. Fold in the Chocolate:
Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips or chunks, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Everyone loves a cookie with lots of gooey chocolate!
7. Scoop the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop dough balls about 2 tablespoons in size onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie, as they will spread while baking.
8. Sprinkle With Sea Salt:
If you’d like a little extra flavor, lightly sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball. It adds a wonderful contrast to the sweetness!
9. Bake Your Cookies:
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want the edges to look set and lightly golden, while the centers should remain soft.
10. Cool and Enjoy:
Once done, remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, the aroma will be enticing, but let them cool a bit so you don’t burn your tongue!
11. Store or Serve:
These cookies taste best when they’re warm, but you can store them in an airtight container to keep them soft and chewy for days. Enjoy your delightful cookies!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute the granulated sugar with coconut sugar or cane sugar if you prefer a more natural sweetener. Just keep in mind that this may slightly alter the texture and flavor of the cookies.
What If I Don’t Have Eggs?
If you’re out of eggs or need a vegan option, you can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a mashed banana. This helps maintain moisture and binding in the cookies.
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Yes, you can! Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
How Do I Keep the Cookies Soft After Baking?
To keep your cookies soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also place a slice of bread in the container with them—the moisture from the bread will keep your cookies soft for days!
