Description: These chocolate chip cookies are incredibly soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips. The secret to their tenderness lies in the softened butter, careful creaming of sugars, and slightly underbaking them. This recipe is straightforward, easy to follow, and yields perfect cookies every time. Enjoy the warm, comforting delight of a homemade chocolate chip cookie that melts in your mouth!
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (340g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts (optional)
Preparation:
Step 1: Prep & Mix Dry Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is a crucial first step to ensure that your oven is at the right temperature when the cookies are ready to bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup a breeze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Whisking ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is essential for the texture and rise of the cookies. Set the bowl aside.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars:
In a large bowl, add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat these ingredients together until they are light and fluffy. This step is crucial; it should take about 3 minutes. The creaming process incorporates air into the butter and sugar mixture, which helps to create a soft and tender cookie. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure that all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients:
Beat in the room temperature eggs one at a time, ensuring that each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the pure vanilla extract. Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily, contributing to a smoother batter. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry & Wet:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. It is essential to avoid overmixing the dough at this stage. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. Use a spatula to fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if using). Folding ensures that the chips and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough without overworking it.
Step 5: Scoop Dough:
Use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the mounds about 2 inches apart. For extra soft cookies, keep the dough mounds slightly tall and do not flatten them. This helps the cookies retain their moisture during baking, resulting in a softer texture.
Step 6: Bake:
Bake one sheet at a time for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still look slightly underdone. It’s crucial to bake one sheet at a time to ensure even cooking. The cookies will firm up as they cool. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 7: Cool:
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet helps them to set and prevents them from breaking when transferred to the wire rack.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You’ll adore this recipe for its simplicity and the consistently perfect results it delivers. These Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies offer a delightful combination of a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich chocolate flavor. They’re easy to make, requiring just a few simple steps and common ingredients. What sets them apart is their incredible softness, which is achieved by using softened butter, creaming the sugars properly, and slightly underbaking. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, this recipe is foolproof, ensuring that you can enjoy warm, homemade cookies that are sure to impress. Plus, the recipe is adaptable; you can easily customize it with your favorite nuts or different types of chocolate chips. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from a simple afternoon treat to a special celebration.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm with a glass of cold milk.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
- Enjoy them as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
- Offer them as a homemade gift to friends and family.
Tips:
- For chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Store the baked cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft. The bread helps to maintain the moisture content of the cookies.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
- Make sure your butter is properly softened to room temperature, but not melted.
- Don’t overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 9-11 minutes Total Time: 24-26 minutes
Nutritional Information: (Approximate values per cookie, without walnuts) Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
- Calories: Approximately 220
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
Conclusion
This Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a testament to the simple joys of baking. It combines easy-to-follow instructions with high-quality ingredients to create a cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. The tips and suggestions provided will help you achieve cookie perfection every time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever tasted!
Questions and Answers About This Recipe:
- Question: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? Answer: While you can use salted butter, it’s best to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe. If using salted butter, decrease the fine sea salt to 1/4 teaspoon. This will prevent the cookies from being overly salty.
- Question: What can I do if my butter isn’t softened enough? Answer: If your butter is still too firm, you can microwave it in 5-second intervals, checking each time, until it’s softened but not melted. Another trick is to place the butter in a sealed plastic bag and gently flatten it with a rolling pin before letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
- Question: Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with another type of flour? Answer: For best results, stick with all-purpose flour. However, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend if needed. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different. Avoid using bread flour, as it will make the cookies too chewy.
- Question: How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too thin? Answer: Ensure your oven is not too hot and that the butter is not melted. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help prevent excessive spreading. Additionally, make sure your baking sheets are cool before placing the dough on them.
- Question: Can I add different types of chocolate chips or other mix-ins? Answer: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate, white chocolate, or milk chocolate. You can also add other mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or toffee bits. Just make sure the total volume of mix-ins remains around 2 1/2 cups to maintain the cookie’s texture and consistency.
