Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
If there’s one iconic treat guaranteed to spark joy at any gathering (or late-night kitchen adventure), it’s the Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Imagine golden edges, melt-in-your-mouth centers, and that magical balance of sweet, buttery dough and bursts of chocolate. This is the kind of cookie where memories are made, and laughter always follows. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect, consistent, and irresistibly chewy cookies, your search ends right here.

Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe calls for simple pantry staples, but each one plays a vital role in transforming dough into pure comfort. From brown sugar creating a caramel hug to a dash of vanilla for that bakery-fresh aroma, here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone, giving structure while keeping the cookie soft inside.
- Baking soda: Just a teaspoon leavens the cookies and ensures that fluffy-chewy balance.
- Salt: Half a teaspoon finely tunes the sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled: Melted butter is the secret weapon for maximally chewy centers.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds a caramel complexity and extra moisture for that perfect chew.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the flavor and helps the cookies spread to plum, golden perfection.
- Eggs, room temperature: These bind everything together and contribute to that lovely, rich texture.
- Vanilla extract: Instantly upgrades the aroma and depth of flavor with every drop.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The star of the show, melting into gooey pockets in every bite.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a satisfying crunch and an earthy contrast to the sweet dough.
How to Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Get your oven nice and hot by preheating it to 350°F. Meanwhile, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly, don’t stick, and are easy to move straight from oven to cooling rack—no drama, all delicious.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Combine them thoroughly to prevent any unwelcome bursts of baking soda or salt and to ensure every bite is perfectly balanced.
Step 3: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, blend the melted, cooled butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat until you have a creamy, smooth mixture—the base for unparalleled chewiness in these cookies.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, and let that sweet aroma transport you to cookie heaven.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Do this gently—stir until just combined. Overmixing at this point leads to tough cookies, and we’re all about soft and chewy.
Step 6: Add Chocolate (and Nuts, if You Like)
Stir in the chocolate chips, and toss in those nuts if you’re feeling adventurous or crave a crunchy surprise. Make sure everything’s evenly distributed for maximum chocolate payoff in every bite.
Step 7: Portion and Space the Dough
Scoop generous tablespoons of dough onto your prepared sheets, allowing about 2 inches of space between each one. This gives each cookie room to spread into perfect rounds.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide the trays into the oven and bake for 9–11 minutes. Keep an eye out: the edges should look golden, but the centers should look a little underdone. This is how you get that signature chewy texture in every cookie.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes straight out of the oven (they’ll finish setting up and be infinitely easier to move). Finally, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—if you can wait that long!
How to Serve Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
Right as the cookies come out of the oven, consider a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness and highlight those chocolatey puddles. If you’re gifting or showing off, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar takes them over the top.
Side Dishes
You can’t beat the classic: pair these cookies with an ice-cold glass of milk, a mug of hot cocoa, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a make-at-home cookie sundae. If you’re hosting adults, coffee and espresso both make incredible partners in cookie decadence.
Creative Ways to Present
Make dessert memorable by stacking a handful of cookies and tying them up with rustic twine for charming gifts. For parties, create a DIY ice cream sandwich bar using your freshly baked Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe and bowls of fun toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, stash your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft, chewy, and irresistible for up to 5 days—great for snacking, lunchbox surprises, or unexpected guests.
Freezing
Both the baked cookies and the raw dough freeze brilliantly. For cookies, layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. For dough, scoop onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then store in a zip-top bag for up to three months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding 2–3 minutes to your bake time.
Reheating
If you crave that fresh-from-the-oven experience, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10–12 seconds. For multiple cookies, arrange on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes, and they’ll taste just-baked all over again.
FAQs
How do I make my Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe even chewier?
Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before scooping and baking. This helps lock in moisture, prevents spreading, and primes the cookies for that signature chewy bite.
Can I use different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Absolutely! Swap semisweet for dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips depending on your mood. Mixing a few types can add delicious layers of flavor to your cookies.
Why do my cookies turn out flat?
That often happens if your butter is too warm, or the dough is overmixed. Make sure your butter is just melted and cooled, and always mix dry ingredients until just combined for a thicker, chewier cookie.
Do I need to use nuts in the Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Nuts are totally optional! If you or your guests prefer cookies without them, simply leave them out. Or, replace with your favorite add-ins like dried cherries or toffee bits for a twist.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes! This Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe doubles (or even triples) perfectly. Just bake in batches and keep the dough chilled between rounds for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever dreamed of baking the kind of cookies that vanish from the plate in minutes, give this Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe a try. I promise, once you taste that soft, gooey chocolatey center, you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again. Happy baking, and don’t forget to share (if you must)!
Print
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate classic treat with these chewy chocolate chip cookies. Packed with rich chocolate chips and optional crunchy nuts, these cookies are a delight for any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-ins:
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine and Bake: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts if using. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before baking.
- You can swap semisweet chips for milk or dark chocolate.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg