Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Simply the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe that’s soft, chewy, and packed full of chocolate chips. Great for any occasion, gifts, and more!

This time of year it seems I am baking nearly every single day. I don’t mind – as you probably guessed, I love to bake.

There is always someone we are whipping up goodies for around here. We have so many people in our lives that we are thankful for and we like to show our appreciation for them with something homemade.

This post is sponsored by Ghirardelli, all opinions are my own.

I’m happy to say that we have partnered with Ghirardelli to bring you this post. We thank them for helping us to bring you great recipes like these cookies today.

Don’t miss our double chocolate chip cookies and these amazing no-chill cowboy cookies!

When it comes to goodies – I probably make these chocolate chip cookies more than anything else. They are the most requested by friends and family and for good reason.

This particular cookie recipe is super soft and chewy and the cookies stay that way for days after baking. They are also super easy to make because we use melted butter. That means no mixer is required, the dough creams together nicely with just a whisk and a rubber spatula. Gotta love that!

But what I really love about these cookies – THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS! These cookies are made with Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips which adds the perfect chocolaty flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.

cookie recipes – chocolate chip

Here are some commonly asked questions

Why choose Ghirardelli?

Aside from just loving the texture and flavor of Ghirardelli, I choose Ghirardelli because it is high-quality chocolate. When I’m baking for friends and family, I want only the best. It is everyone’s favorite and their eyes light up when they see the package.

With Ghirardelli’s “Bean to Chocolate” sustainability and sourcing practices, I can feel good about my chocolate too.

But most of all – I love that I can find quality chocolate while doing my weekly shopping at Walmart. It makes it simple and easy to add to my order – saving me time and money.

What is the best way to store chocolate chip cookies?

I like to place mine in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also use a zip-top bag but I find they get jostled a bit too much with this and then you have broken cookies.

Don’t miss our Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar

Why do the ingredients need to be at room temperature?

Room temperature ingredients help to ensure that everything blends together perfectly. You don’t want any pockets of unblended butter or eggs. You want everything evenly disbursed for the perfect texture.

When your dairy products are at room temperature, they can create an emulsion. It’s essential to have an emulsion because air gets trapped, so the baked goods expand and get fluffy as it bakes.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

Yes, Yes, Yes! Chilling the dough is important for a couple of reasons. First – while the dough is chilling the ingredients are coming together. It gives a better overall flavor to the cookie.

The second and probably even more important than the first – is that chilling helps the dough hold together during the baking process.

Because we are using melted butter, the dough is very soft when it is first blended together. If you were to try to bake the cookies when the dough is like this – the dough would sort of melt together into one big, flat cookie on the sheet pan. Please, please chill the dough for a minimum of 3 hours.

Cookie Recipe Chocolate Chips

Why do my cookies go flat?

Cookies typically go flat when the dough isn’t the right temperature at the time of baking OR when they are missing the right ingredients that help them to rise- such as eggs, baking soda, and baking powder. Please make sure you are measuring those ingredients correctly and that they are at room temperature when you start the mixing.

Also – something to keep in mind- make sure you are placing the dough on a cool baking sheet. The cookies will bake differently if you are placing the dough on the hot baking sheet you just removed from the oven. Make sure you have a rotation of baking sheets so you can always place the unbaked dough on a cool tray.

Can the dough be frozen for later?

Yes – this dough can be frozen and baked later. If you would like to roll the dough prior to freezing, make sure to freeze the dough balls in a single flat layer. Once frozen they can be transferred to a zip-top bag for space-saving.

To bake – increase the baking time by 1 minute – no need to thaw the dough before baking.

I like to roll the dough between my hands to soften the outside of the dough before baking – this helps the cookies have the freshest texture once they are baked.

worlds best chocolate chip cookie

Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

• Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
• butter – melted and slightly cooled
• brown sugar – firmly packed
• granulated sugar
• egg – room temperature
• egg YOLK – room temperature
• pure vanilla extract
• all-purpose flour – lightly fluffed and gently scooped and leveled
• baking soda
• cornstarch
• table salt

Should I use light or dark brown sugar?

Since I make my own brown sugar, I use light brown sugar for almost all of my recipes. But light or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe.

Want to know how to make your own brown sugar – visit my Homemade Brown Sugar post here.

chocolate chip cookie recipe homemade

Chocolate Chip Cookies How to Make

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar and whisk to combine and no dry sugar remains.
2. Whisk in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla until just combined.
3. Add the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt and fold in with a rubber spatula.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (min 3 hours – up to 4 days)
6. Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
7. Line baking sheets with parchment – set aside.
8. Scoop the cold dough into 3 tablespoon-sized balls and roll between your hands to smooth. The dough will be firm and crumble a little but should pull together with the warmth of your hands. Make the dough lightly taller and oblong, rather than round.
9. Place the dough on the prepared baking sheets, making sure the dough is standing on end so they look tall. This will help the cookies to bake thick.
10. You can press more chocolate chips around the outside of the dough before baking.
11. Bake for 14-16 minutes for cookies with 3 tbsp of dough. If making a bit smaller with 2 tbsp of dough – bake 12-13 minutes. They will look underbaked.
12. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10-12 minutes.
13. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.

Why add cornstarch to the cookies?

I like to add cornstarch because it is the little secret ingredient that helps keep the cookies extra soft. I’m super picky about my cookies and often won’t eat homemade cookies beyond the first day because they dry out too much for my taste.

But the cornstarch in these cookies keeps them just as soft as the first day – even into day 4. (if they last that long in your house) You can leave it out if you don’t have it without changing anything else in the recipe. But I highly recommend it.

absolutely the best chocolate chip cookies

Can these cookies be made ahead of time?

You bet. This cookie dough can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days prior to baking. Make sure to cover tightly with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. You do not need to let it sit out at room temperature before rolling and baking. Just proceed with the recipe as written when you are ready to bake.

Can these baked cookies be frozen?

Yes – the baked cookies will keep when frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap each cookie individually with plastic wrap and then place them all in an airtight container before freezing.

chocolate chip cookies at home

Be sure to head to Walmart to pick up Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips for these cookies. While you are there, be sure to grab Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Squares and/or Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares to pair with the cookies as a nice little gift package.

If you prefer to shop online as I do, here are the links to the products for easy shopping.

For the Cookies

• Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips

For the extras in the gift basket

• Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Squares

These are a STAPLE in our house during the holiday season, which makes it so nice to be able to gift our favorite goodies to those we hold dear to our hearts too. Ghirardelli really Makes the Holidays a Bite Better.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you love this easy cookie recipe, you’re going to love these other great recipes using chocolate chips too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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If you love this recipe for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

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