How to Make the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Updated: Jan. 05, 2021Love cakey cookies? Or crispy ones? How about chewy? We show you how to make the perfect chocolate chip cookies according to your taste.
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to make perfect chocolate chip cookies. I’ve made the classic recipe off the bag of chocolate chips, I’ve tried chilling the cookie dough and I’ve even tried banging the cookie sheet to get a chewier texture. I’ve tried all these techniques and played with so many recipes all to find my favorite—and I’m getting closer all the time.
This being said, everyone’s perfect chocolate chip cookie is different. Some folks are crispy cookie fans and others like them soft and chewy (chewy cookie fans, check these recipes out). Getting your favorite kind of cookie is easy with just a few alterations to a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe.
The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen loves these ultimate chocolate chip cookies. Former staffer and recipe contributor Megimi Garcia says, “Everyone has a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie—a little crispy, a little chewy—but they all have to begin with a basic recipe. My perfect chocolate chip cookie golden brown, soft in the center and a little bit crisp on the edges. I tested lots of variations and found that, for me, this recipe is the best place to start.” With just a few substitutions, you can get the cookie you love with her basic recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Would you use a sugar alternative in your baking recipes?
How to Make It Perfect for You
Chilled Dough
- How to modify the recipe: Place portioned dough into an airtight container, separating layers with waxed paper, Refrigerate 24 hours.
- Result: Chewy cookies
Are you a chewy cookie lover? Chilling your cookie dough is the easiest way to ensure you get that texture you desire. Popping cookie dough in the fridge for even just a short while can help firm up the dough and prevent it from spreading too much in the oven.
The Test Kitchen recommends chilling for at least 30 minutes, but you can even keep your dough in the fridge overnight. This can help develop some extra flavor, too.
Melted Butter
- How to modify the recipe: Use melted butter instead of softened butter.
- Result: Thin, crispy cookies
While chilling the dough helps control the spread of your cookies, melting the butter has the opposite effect.
Using melted butter in your cookie dough helps create a cookie that spreads. A cookie that spreads during baking tends to be crispier and thinner which is great for crunchy cookie fans. This alteration is great for fans of thin cookies, like Tate’s Bake Shop (a favorite among our editors).
Extra Flour
- How to modify the recipe: Increase flour up to 3-1/2 cups.
- Result: Dense, doughlike cookies
Adding more flour to chocolate chip cookie dough will create a stiffer dough that spreads less in the oven. These cookies tend to be a bit denser but end up chewy in the middle—almost to the point of being underdone. This is a great hack if you’re a cookie dough fan.
Baking Powder Only
- How to modify the recipe: Substitute baking powder for baking soda.
- Result: Soft, cakelike cookies
Removing the baking soda from the recipe (and adding an extra half-teaspoon of baking powder) creates a soft, cakelike cookie.
Baking Powder + Baking Soda
- How to modify the recipe: Keep as is.
- Result: Chewy golden brown cookies with crispy edges
Using a combination of baking powder and soda is a great middle ground. The middles of the cookies are chewy while the outsides are crisp: the best of both worlds.
Granulated Sugar Only
- How to modify the recipe: Omit brown sugar and increase granulated sugar to 1-1/2 cups.
- Result: Pale, thin and crunchy cookies
Using just white sugar produces a very thin, crunchy cookie. This technique tends to produce cookies that are a bit less flavorful (brown sugar adds a lot to chocolate chip cookies). This might be a good alteration if you’re looking for a cookie that’s super crisp, though.
Brown Sugar Only
- How to modify the recipe: Omit granulated sugar and increase the brown sugar to 1-1/2 cups.
- Result: Chewy and soft cookies with a butterscotch flavor.
Soley using brown sugar has the opposite effect of using just plain sugar. Brown sugar-only cookies are chewier and softer, plus they have a more molasses-y, butterscotch-like flavor.
Other Easy Ways to Experiment
If you don’t want to alter the basics of the recipe, that’s OK. You can still make some easy adjustments that can totally change up your go-to cookie.
- Chocolate: Semisweet morsels are standard in most cookie recipes, but you don’t have to stick to this classic. Try ultra-dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or even flavored options like these reader-favorite Bailey’s chips or Andes mint chips. Out of morsels? You can use chopped chocolate pieces too. Chopped chocolate gives you some variety in texture with the small and large bits.
- Extracts: Vanilla extract is also a standard in most chocolate chipper recipes. Experiment with different kinds of vanilla (Madagascar vanilla has a different flavor than Indonesian or Mexican, for example). You can also try almond extract, too.
- Size: Tablespoon-sized dollops of cookie dough are standard, but you can up the size. Our signature big and buttery chocolate chip cookies are a quarter-cup in size.
Need more cookies? Try our other easy cookie recipes!
How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are one of our go-to bakes. Our Test Kitchen regularly whips up these big and buttery cookies (and they are an office favorite!). But there are lots of ways for you to create your version of a great cookie at home. Check out all our tips right from our Test Kitchen pros and cookie enthusiasts.
Don't Be Afraid to Play with Your Favorite Recipe
Making small changes to your go-to cookie recipe can turn it into the best-ever chocolate chip cookie. If you love a crispy cookie, try melted butter instead of softened or all brown sugar in the dough. For chewy cookies, try chilling. Here are our Test Kitchen's tips for making the best chocolate chip cookie.
Use a Cookie Scoop Sick of the mess that comes with scooping cookies with a spoon? Invest in a good cookie scoop. This gadget comes in all kinds of sizes so you can get the perfect sized cookie for you. This scoop is so handy and keeps your fingers cookie dough-free. It's one of our editors' favorite cookie baking tools. 
Don't Overmix
While you can beat your sugar, eggs and butter as long as you like, be sure not to overmix your cookie dough once you add the flour. Overworking the dough at this stage can make your cookies tough. Instead, mix until just combined then mix in the chips by hand.
Chill the Dough
Chewy cookie fans, take note. Chilling your cookie dough for an hour (or even overnight) could be your new secret to the best chocolate chip cookies. By chilling the dough, you help control the spread of the cookie. The less the cookie spreads, the chewier it is. This technique can also produce slightly sweeter cookies, so good news for you with a sweet tooth!
Experiment with Mix-Ins
You don't need to limit yourself to semisweet chocolate chips for a good chocolate chip cookie (though if you do, try our Test Kitchen's favorite brand). Try other baking chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles or even chopped chocolate, like with this internet-famous recipe. These changes can give new life to your go-to recipe.
Keep Cookies Soft
If you're a chewy cookie lover, it can be a big disappointment to bake up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and find them hard and crunchy the next day. If this happens, all is not lost! It's easy to soften up cookies—just drop a slice of bread into your container. This will revive your cookies and soften them up.
The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie
Everyone has a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie—a little crispy, a little chewy—but they all have to begin with a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is the best place to start! —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Big & Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies
My take on the classic cookie is inspired by a bakery in California called Hungry Bear. It's big, thick and chewy—truly the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. —Irene Yeh, Mequon, Wisconsin
Chocolate Malted Cookies
These cookies are the next best thing to a good old-fashioned malted milk. With malted milk powder, chocolate syrup, plus chocolate chips and chunks, these are the best cookies I've ever tasted…and with six kids, I've made a lot of cookies over the years! —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone who has tried these cookies says they're the best they've ever eaten. I'm sure the addition of pudding mix makes all the difference.
Super Chunky Cookies
Chocolate lovers will go crazy over these cookies that feature loads of chocolate! When friends ask me to make "those cookies," I know exactly what recipe they mean. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas
Chippy Peanut Butter Cookies
"Hey, these are good!" is the surprised remark I hear when I bake these for the family. As simple as it may seem, all I do is follow directions. This works exceptionally well when it comes to making cookies. —Ian Badeer, Hickman, Nebraska
S'more Sandwich Cookies
Capture the taste of campfire s'mores in your kitchen. Graham cracker crumbs added to chocolate chip cookie dough bring out the flavor of the fireside favorite. Melting the cookies' marshmallow centers in the microwave makes them simple to assemble. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa
Wyoming Cowboy Cookies
These cookies are very popular here in Wyoming. Mix up a batch for your crew and see why. —Patsy Steenbock, Shoshoni, Wyoming
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Here's a different version of a traditional recipe. I love these soft peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. — Clarice Schweitzer, Sun City, Arizona
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
I'm one of the cooking project leaders for my daughter's 4-H club, where these soft, delicious cookies were a great hit with the kids. —Marietta Slater, Augusta, Kansas
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Crazy about chocolate chips? This chewy, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie has plenty, not to mention lots of heart-healthy oatmeal. The gang’ll come back for seconds so this big batch recipe is perfect. This is the best 'oat choc chip cookies recipe' you'll ever taste! —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota
Mini Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
I love baking cookies to give as gifts to my family and friends. I created this recipe for my annual holiday cookie platter and it received rave reviews from both children and adults. If the buttercream doesn't come together after all of the butter has been incorporated, add some shortening one tablespoon at a time until the mixture starts to transform. —Julie Thomas, Saukville, Wisconsin
Dad's Chocolate Chip Cookies
My dad, Art Winter, would tuck some of these cookies in the care packages he and my mom sent to me when I was in college.—Art Winter, Trumbull, Connecticut
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
"Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies?" inquires field editor Diane Hixon, who credits cocoa in the batter for the double dose of chocolate in her treats. These disappear fast from the cookie jar in her Niceville, Florida home!
Caramel-Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
These cookies are more cake-like; a nice change from the more common chewier chocolate chip cookie. I've been known to add a little peanut butter to the filling too. —Lauren Reiff, East Earl, Pennsylvania
Norwegian Chocolate Chip Cookies
My best friend, Amber, taught me how to make these cookies. They are a great mash-up of a sugar and chocolate chip cookie. A pizza cutter is the best tool for cutting into slices after baking. —Bonnie Brien, Surprise, Arizona
Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies
Whenever I used to make cookies, my three boys would always find something they didn't like about them. After some trial and error, I finally came up with a cookie they all enjoyed. —Heidi Cretens, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Oat-Rageous Chocolate Chip Cookies
My aunt gave me this recipe, and my family thinks these cookies are delicious. We enjoy all different kinds of cookies, and with this recipe, we can combine three of our favorite kinds—oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chip—in one! —Jaymie Noble, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Crescent Chip Cookies
With their cute curved shape, crescents always make charming additions to a Christmas platter. I dip the cooled cookies in chocolate and sprinkle on walnuts. —Ann Eastman, Sacramento, California
Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
My kids love making these home-style cookies. They're so wonderful when warm. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies
"My mom always brightened my lunch with these yummy cookies," shares Tammy Orr of Wharton, New Jersey.
Orange-Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies
I developed this recipe after years of searching for a chocolate chip cookie that would stand out from all others. Orange and cinnamon are tasty additions. —Daniel Kaepp, Coldwater, Michigan
Winning Cranberry Chip Cookies
Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.
Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot Cookies
Mandelbrot in Yiddish literally means “almond bread.” The twice-baked cookie made with oil and almonds dates back to 19th century Eastern Europe. There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts. My chocolate chip version is more modern-American. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi
Air-Fryer Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
I am crazy about chocolate chips, and this chewy cookie has enough to satisfy me. My husband and kids love these cookies. This big batch is perfect for our family. —Diane Neth, Menno, South Dakota
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
As a competitive figure skater, I need high-energy snacks to keep me going. These cookies are loaded with nuts, chips and fabulous flavor. Coaches at my skating rink are always sneaking two or three when I bring them in! —Cassandra Brzycki, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Macadamia Nut Cookies
These rich cookies are full of Hawaiian macadamia nuts and chocolate chips. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Cinnamon White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
I wanted to put a spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie, and who doesn't love cinnamon? Depending on what you use to drop your cookies, the quantity served will change. —Cassie Colosimo, Reading, Pennsylvania
Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Pizzelle
I've experimented with different varieties of pizzelle recipes, but this is definitely a favorite. My dad likes to help make them so that we don't run out!—Aimee McCullen, Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Toasted Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are almost anyone's favorites and these are sure to please! —Bethany Thayer, Troutville, Virginia
