The best chocolate chip cookies are bakery-style thick with soft, chewy centers and crisp golden brown edges. A simple classic cookie recipe with perfect results every time!

Chocolate chip cookies on the countertop.

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Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Homemade chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorite things and this recipe is both simple and delicious! Try oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for a lighter side, cowboy cookies for a loaded version, Levain Bakery cookies for bakery style or indulgent brown butter chocolate chip cookies!

These cookies taste amazing and are super soft and chewy just the way a chocolate chip cookie should be! They’re not as flat as a Nestle Toll House cookie recipe, but are perfectly crispy on the edges and filled with sweet gooey chocolate chips in every bite. Everyone who tries them declares them the best cookies!

Key Ingredients

Chocolate chip cookie ingredients.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Unsalted butter: You want the butter barely softened by the time you need to cream it. We’re using unsalted so we can control the amount added to the dough. Learn tips for how to soften butter quickly.
  • Brown and White sugar: I love to use a combination of both to bring out the best flavors.
  • All-purpose flour: For amazing texture, be sure measure the flour correctly using the the spoon and level method.
  • Pure vanilla extract: Make sure you’re using the real stuff to really amplify the flavor.
  • Chocolate chips: I love using a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. If I have chocolate chunks on hand, I love to add some of those as well.
  • Flake sea salt: If you have some on hand, I love to sprinkle it on top right when they come out the oven.

A Simple Secret Ingredient

Have you guessed what the secret ingredient is that helps makes these cookies so delicious? Cornstarch! You won’t find this ingredient in most traditional classic recipes, but boy does it make a difference in these and my mini chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Making this chocolate chip cookie recipe with cornstarch helps make the texture extra thick and delicious. It’s an easy way to elevate your cookies without hardly any work. If you don’t have corn starch on hand, you can add an extra Tablespoon or two of flour in its place.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

Showing how to make chocolate chip cookies in a 4 step collage.
  1. Mix the wet ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until nice and smooth. Then mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.
  2. Add the dry ingredients. To the same bowl, add 1/2 of the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and cornstarch. Mix until just combined and then add in the remaining flour and chocolate chips. Be careful not to over mix.
  3. Scoop. Use a medium cookie scoop (or ice cream scoop) to scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets. I like to line mine with parchment paper.
  4. Bake. Put the pan in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden brown. For softer cookies take them out a little early, and for crispier cookies, let them bake a little longer. Then move to a cooling rack.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here are some delicious tips for making these chocolate chip cookies even better!

  • Measuring flour. It may seem simple, but have you learned how to accurately measure flour? By spooning the flour into a measuring cup and then using a knife to level it off, you’re guaranteed the perfect amount of flour each time.
  • Scooping and rolling. I like to use a large cookie scoop and then roll the dough into a ball. Then I’ll press extra chocolate chips onto the tops. This recipe will make 24 cookies with a large cookie scoop and 36 total with a medium scoop.
  • Avoid sinking. I find that mixing the chocolate chips in with the flour helps them not sink to the bottom.
  • No chips? All out of chocolate chips? Make these chocolate chipless cookies instead!
  • Removing from oven. When you remove cookies from the oven, let them set on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before adding to a cooling rack. The centers may look a tad bit underdone at first, but they’ll continue to bake as they cool and the edges will remain perfectly crispy.
  • Want a bar cookie instead? Make these chocolate chip cookie bars!
Chocolate chip cookies on a counter.

Recipe FAQ

How do you make chocolate chip cookies taste better?

Use quality ingredients, especially butter. Add a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate or chop from a chocolate bar. Add flaky sea salt on top or make M&M cookies with both chocolate chips and M&Ms!

What makes cookies chewy vs crunchy?

More white sugar creates crispier cookies and more brown sugar created chewier cookies. Baking the cookies longer will also yield a crunchier cookie.

How can I make my cookies fluffier instead of flat?

Make sure to add enough flour. Also, make sure to refrigerate the dough before baking. Cornstarch will also help them from falling flat. I love how using discard makes these sourdough chocolate chip cookies bit more soft and chewy!

Should I chill the dough?

Yes, I would absolutely recommend that you chill the cookie dough if you have the time. I like to refrigerate mine for at least 30 to 60 minutes before baking. By chilling the dough, the cookies are less likely to spread and will result in a thicker consistency. It also brings the flavors together. And who doesn’t love soft, chewy and ultra thick cookies?

If you don’t have time, don’t worry, they’ll still taste amazing! They may just spread a bit more while they cook.

Storing & Freezing

  • To store: These will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • To freeze cookie dough: Scoop the dough into balls, then flash freeze on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, or until hard. Then add to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Baking from frozen: I usually bake straight from frozen. While the oven preheats, let the cookie dough sit on the baking sheet as it warms. Then bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the original baking time if needed.
  • Freezing baked cookies: Once they have cooled, add to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Then thaw on the counter for a couple of hours until no longer frozen.
Chocolate chip cookies stacked on a counter.

More chocolate chip cookie recipes include these chocolate chip pudding cookies, chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles or Neiman Marcus cookies.

More Chocolate Chip Cookies

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See all
Chocolate chip cookies stacked on a counter.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

4.99 from 132 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 24
These are the best chocolate chip cookies. Ultra soft, thick, chewy and perfectly crisp around the edges. This is the perfect classic cookie recipe that everyone always asks for.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter , barely softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs , cold
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour , spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt , or 1 teaspoon kosher
  • 1 -2 cups chocolate chips , I prefer to mix semi-sweet and milk

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat just until combined once the eggs are added, you don't want to over mix. 
  • Add the flour, baking soda, salt and cornstarch and mix on low. I like to slowly mix in the chocolate chips with the last cup of flour. Be careful not over mix. If the dough is too sticky add an extra Tablespoon or two of flour. Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes if time allows.
  • Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart. Place extra chocolate chips on the top of the cookies if desired.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to set on pan for 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove cookies to a cooling rack. Serve while warm if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Note: I find that mixing the chocolate chips in with the flour helps them not sink to the bottom.
Cornstarch: If you don’t have corn starch, you can add an extra Tablespoon or two of flour.
To store: These will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing dough: Scoop into balls, then flash freeze on a baking sheet until hard (about 30 minutes). Then add to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Baking from frozen: Let the frozen cookie dough sit on the baking sheet as the oven preheats. Then bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the original baking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 162mg, Potassium: 36mg, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 290IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.