Description
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies with a perfect balance of buttery sweetness, rich chocolate chips, and a touch of crunch from optional nuts. These cookies are easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection, and ideal for sharing or enjoying as a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time for proper incorporation, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until everything is combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts thoroughly to ensure even distribution throughout the dough.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to set, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by removing at 10 minutes.
- Substitute nuts with more chocolate chips for a nut-free version.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for best texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For larger cookies, increase baking time by 2-3 minutes and adjust dough size accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
