The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

By Karrie on | Updated | 385 Comments

If you’re looking for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the whole world…I have it right here!

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (1)

I have made Nestle Tollhouse, Cook’s Illustrated, Paula Deen’s and many other chocolate chip cookie recipes in my life. And while they have all added to my weight gain over the years (ahem), none of them were the absolute perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. Some came darn close – but never 100% perfect.

But I finally have found it.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.

The recipe that out-does all other chocolate chip cookie recipes. The chocolate chip cookie recipe that meets all my tests, one that turns out perfectly for me every time. One thatI can freeze into balls and that would bake up just as good as if you baked them without freezing since I love freezer cooking.

As I have been getting more into cooking more from scratch, finding a recipe that used real butter instead of shortening was a must. But it was hard to get a cookie that didn’t fall flat, or turn out nice and soft in the middle using butter. That was until now. These real ingredient chocolate chip cookies are soft in the middle and a little chewy and crispy on the outside.

Basically the perfect cookie.

This one tops them all. Seriously, my search is over! It’s FINALLY over.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2)

My criteria for the perfect chocolate chip cookie was:

  • Must use “real” butter, not shortening
  • Must use “real” vanilla, not imitation
  • Must taste amazing. Even the next day.
  • Needed to be soft and not flat
  • Needed to use quality chocolate chips (I love milk chocolate Ghirardelli)
  • Needed to be able to be frozen, baked later and turn out perfectly since I am a huge freezer meal gal.

This recipe met all these tests 100% perfectly.

In fact, I will let the pictures show you how good these are.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (3)You can see how beautiful this cookie looks on the inside – a perfect blend of chewy and soft melty goodness.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (4)

My personal secret: make sure your cookies are a nice big size. I usually roll mine into 1/4 cup or 4 Tablespoon sized balls. In fact, I use this cookie scoop which is the perfect size.

If you want that gooey center with a bit of chewy outside…make them big.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (5)

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (6)

I love that this chocolate chip cookie recipe is not too flat, and the flavor is to die for. I was given this recipe by a friend who got it fromhereistherecipe.com.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (7)

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (8)

If you want to freeze this cookie dough, just form into balls and freeze individually. Then place into a ziploc freezer bag until you are ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to your baking time and enjoy.

These cookies are pretty much the best thing ever, especially after a big freezer meal cooking marathon…. ……totally hits the spot.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (9)

Here is the Master Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that you can print out!

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (10)

Recipe Card

4.64 from 171 votes

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Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Published By Karrie

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate chip cookies, cookies

Servings 32 cookies

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

The world's perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cups real unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 12 oz Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips or other quality chocolate chips, 11.5 .

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix to combine and set aside.

  • Using paddle attachment on mixer, cream butter and sugars together just until blended.

  • Add eggs, one a time, mixing well after each addition.

  • Add the vanilla.

  • Put mixer on low speed, and add in dry ingredients.

  • Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

  • Stir in chocolate chips by hand gently.

  • It's best to make bigger cookies for the right texture - so I would recommend using a 4 Tablespoon size scoop to form your cookies.

  • Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes. I like mine to look a little undercooked in the middle, then let them finish cooking on the cookie sheet for a few minutes while they cool. Then move them to a cookie rack or plate to keep cooling.

  • If you are freezing these cookies: Form into balls, and freeze on a cookie sheet. After frozen remove and add to a Ziploc freezer bag. They will last for about a month in the freezer. To bake just take out and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes of baking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Loved this recipe?

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I want you to bake these cookies and tell me what you think!

Come back to this post and give me your honest opinions. I think it’s the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever and I hope you do, too.

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (11)

—>See ALL of my Freezer Meals recipes here.

If you love to cook, try these out!

  • Karrie’s Favorite Inexpensive Kitchen Gadgets
  • Making 50 Freezer Meals in one Day
  • Freezer Meal Tips for Beginners
  • 10 Easy and Cheap Camping Meals
  • Unique and Cool Camping Equipment For the Whole Family

The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (12)

About Karrie

Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Rach T says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (13)
    Everyone who has ever tasted these have loved them. I am making them today but only have semi sweet chocolate chips. Do you think that will change the flavor too much

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      They will still be delicious with semi-sweet chips.

      Reply

  2. Nancy says

    Best chocolate chips cookies ever! My husband, not a big chocolate chip cookie guy, loves them and wants more. Could I use butterscotch chips in place of chocolate?

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      Absolutely!!

      Reply

  3. Gail Webb says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (15)
    These will be my go to recipe for chocolate chip cookies. They are crispy on the edges and so chewy in the middle. I added chopped pecans to mine. So good!

    Reply

  4. Angela L says

    I’ve made these cookies for years! I too was on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookies. My daughter took these to her teachers her freshman year of high school. She’s a junior and her teachers wait expectantly for these cookies for special holidays! Thank you thank you thank you!!

    Reply

  5. Alecia says

    I love this recipe!! It’s become my go to recipe for chocolate chip cookies. It doesn’t flatten out, it’s thick and chewy, we love it! Thanks!
    My daughter who hates chocolate has me bake her a batch with one chip on top because she likes the basic cookie better than sugar cookies. 😉

    Reply

  6. Sabina says

    Is the dough really stiff? It resembles a roll out cookie dough.

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      No it shouldn’t be stiff, add a little less flour next time. Sometimes elevation, humidity and other factors can change and I use less flour as needed.

      Reply

  7. Dorena says

    Hello, can these be made using sugar replacements for both kinds of sugars, brown and the white?

    Reply

  8. Katrin says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (16)
    I personally don’t like them. And I always use real butter and a mix of sugars in my cookies. But they are not my kind of dream.

    The only thing I had to change was the dark sugar and replace it with a lighter one, but still – the dough should be chilled first, otherwise they will not turn out ok.

    Reply

  9. Denise says

    Have you ever used Crisco butter flavored sticks instead of butter? I’ve heard some say using Crisco makes the cookies stay soft but I don’t know chemically if this is true or if it changes the flavor of the cookies.

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      I think that would change the flavor quite a bit, and I haven’t tried it. I stick to the original cause its so good!

      Reply

  10. Melody says

    I’m curious if they could be made into smaller cookies. I will baking cookies for a wedding and don’t need to make such a large cookie. Will they still be just as good if made into smaller ones??

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      Yes they taste good smaller, but try a batch first to make sure you like the way they look for the wedding!

      Reply

  11. Marilyn says

    I only have a lot of light brown sugar on hand…wil that be ok to use?

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      Yes!

      Reply

  12. Holly says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (17)
    My forever go-to CCC recipe!! The absolute best ever hands down!! ❤️

    Reply

  13. Linda Tollefson says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (18)
    These are so good, I made them big so I only got 22. My grandson loves them!

    Reply

  14. Pollieanna Sepulveda says

    Great recipe, this is my families new favorite cookie recipe. The taste and texture us perfect. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  15. Lisa Stevens says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (19)
    This is a fantastic recipe! My Dad is 86 and has dementia, lots of things have changed, but not his love for cookies, cake, etc. I try to make him cookies regularly and one weekend I made these and I made them big as recommended. He loved them! Later I asked my Mom if she’d tried them and she said she only got a couple. Apparently, he ate all of them in just a couple days! I’m making them again for him this weekend! His disease is stealing him away bit by bit and sometimes I’m not sure he even remembers I’m his daughter when I first arrive, but I can tell you these cookies sure brought him joy and in turn gave me another sweet memory to tuck away. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Cindy says

      Wonderful story of your love for your Father and Mother. Blessings to you all!

      Reply

  16. Ross says

    The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (20)
    I have been accused of bringing store bought cookies when using this recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Karrie says

      Hahaha!!!

      Reply

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The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to keeping chocolate chip cookies soft? ›

Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Q: Why are my cookies so puffy and cakey? Whipping too much air into the dough. That fluffy texture you want in a cake results from beating a lot of air into the room temperature butter and sugar, and it does the same for cookies. So don't overdo it when you're creaming together the butter and sugar.

What makes chocolate chip cookies taste so good? ›

In the center, it's softer. The chocolate gives us a melty, dense mouthfeel. The caramelized butter, sugar, vanilla, chocolate, and subtle notes of salt offer a balanced flavor profile. The saltiness highlights and enhances the preexisting flavors.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies crunchy and not chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Why do my chocolate chip cookies get hard so fast? ›

Don't Overbake!

This isn't a revolutionary tip and is probably quite obvious, but if you leave your cookies in the oven for even a few minutes longer than necessary, the mix will dry too quickly and lead to more rigid, dry cookies.

How to make cookies fluffy instead of flat? ›

Baking powder provides lift and helps create a fluffy texture, while baking soda helps to densify the cookie and create a chewier texture.

Which is better, baking soda or baking powder? ›

When to use which one. Baking soda is used in recipes that also include an acidic ingredient, such as cream of tartar, buttermilk, or citrus juice. Conversely, baking powder is typically used when the recipe doesn't feature an acidic ingredient, as the powder already includes the acid needed to produce carbon dioxide.

What ingredient makes a cookie chewy? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

What are the disadvantages of chocolate chip cookies? ›

Increased risk of chronic diseases: Eating too many cookies can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure due to their high sugar and fat content.

What are the top 3 brands of chocolate chip cookies? ›

Top 50 Scanned: Chocolate Chip Cookie beta
Popularity
#1Cookie, Chocolate Chip Lenny & Larry's210 Calories
#2Cookies, Original Chips Ahoy!160 Calories
#3Chocolate Chunk Cookies Fiber One120 Calories
#4Cookies, Chewy Chips Ahoy!140 Calories
46 more rows

Why put corn syrup in cookies? ›

So, when you mix corn syrup into your cookie batter, all of that moisture will make and keep your baked cookies deliciously tender. The texture of cookies benefits from corn syrup as well. As you combine your ingredients to make your cookie batter, corn syrup will pull some of the surrounding air into your batter.

How do you make cookies soft instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
  1. Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
  2. Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
  3. Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
  4. Rest your dough. ...
  5. Shorten baking time.
May 14, 2023

How do you make cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

Double Your Yolks Most cookie recipes call for at least one egg. You can try omitting the white of each egg, which tends to dry out when baked, and replacing it with an additional yolk. Plus, egg yolks have more fat than egg whites, which helps to keep your cookies moist and chewy.

Why do my cookies get hard right after I bake them? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

How to make cookies chewy not hard? ›

You can try adding more egg to your recipe. Eggs make cookies softer and puffier. It doesn't need to be a lot of egg; half of an extra large egg will make a difference in a basic recipe. You can also swap out egg yolks for whole eggs.

How to make cookies softer after baking? ›

Wrap them immediately

Just wrap each individual cookie in plastic wrap while they are still warm and the moisture created should soften them back up.

How to keep cookies crisp? ›

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

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