Simple Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe: A Deliciously Easy Treat
Are you craving a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie? Look no further! This recipe is designed for simplicity, delivering maximum deliciousness with minimal fuss. Perfect for beginner bakers or anyone short on time, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it incredibly accessible. You probably already have most of them in your pantry!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: This is key for achieving that perfectly chewy texture. Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper, richer flavor.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile. Don't skimp on this!
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure to your cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- 2 cups chocolate chips: The star of the show! Use your favorite kind – semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a mix!
Instructions: Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Follow these simple steps for perfectly baked cookies every time.
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand if you're feeling strong!
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 4: Stir in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm with a glass of milk – the perfect treat!
Tips for Extra Delicious Cookies:
- Chill the dough: For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Use high-quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the cookies!
- Don't overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Start checking them at the 9-minute mark.
- Get creative with add-ins: Try adding nuts, dried fruit, or different types of chocolate chips.
This simple chocolate chip cookie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So grab your ingredients and get baking! Let us know in the comments how your cookies turned out! Happy baking!
