Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Simple Recipe for Delicious Treats
Are you craving warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies but intimidated by complicated recipes? Fear not! This easy chocolate chip cookie recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. It delivers maximum deliciousness with minimum effort. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients. You probably already have most of them in your pantry!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is key for a smooth, creamy dough. Don't melt it!
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and structure.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a richer flavor.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 2 cups chocolate chips: Your choice! Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate – get creative!
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
Follow these simple steps to bake the perfect batch of easy chocolate chip cookies:
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 also do it by hand (it will just take a little more elbow grease!).
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Step 5: Stir in Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight!) will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
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 8: 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 your warm, delicious chocolate chip cookies!
Tips for the Perfect Cookie:
- Don't overbake! Slightly underbaked cookies will be softer and chewier.
- Use good quality chocolate chips. The better the chocolate, the better the cookies!
- Experiment with different add-ins. Nuts, dried cranberries, or white chocolate chips are all great options.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
This easy chocolate chip cookie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's simple enough for a weeknight treat, yet delicious enough for any special occasion. Happy baking!
