The Golden Standard: Soft and Gooey Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing fills a home with warmth quite like the nostalgic aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting from the oven. These chocolate chip treats offer the quintessential balance of a tender, soft center and rich, melted chocolate, making them a perfect companion for a cold glass of milk or a quiet afternoon tea. Whether you are baking for a school fundraiser or simply treating yourself, this straightforward recipe delivers golden, gooey perfection in less than twenty minutes.

Recipe Details

• Yields: 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour properly measured
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 F.
2. Melt the butter in the microwave, which typically takes about 40 seconds. Ensure the butter is fully liquefied but has not become hot to the touch.
3. In a large mixing bowl, blend the melted butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is well-combined and smooth.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and the egg, mixing until the liquid ingredients are fully incorporated.
5. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl.
6. Mix the dough just until the streaks of flour disappear. The resulting dough should be soft and slightly tacky, though it should not be overly sticky.
7. Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.
8. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out roughly 1.5 tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Arrange them on a baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one.
9. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes. Remove them once the cookies appear set; they will look slightly puffy and may seem a bit underbaked in the middle, but they will firm up as they cool.

Tips for Success

To ensure your cookies are light rather than crumbly, pay close attention to your flour measurement. It is best to fluff the flour first, then gently scoop it into your measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge. If you do not have kosher salt on hand, you can easily substitute 1/4 teaspoon of standard table salt.

The secret to a truly soft cookie is avoiding the temptation to over-bake. Since every oven behaves a bit differently, start checking your batch at the 7-minute mark. If they require more time, increase the duration in small increments until the edges are just golden.

Nutrition Information

We hope you enjoy sharing these delightful homemade treats with your friends and neighbors!