A classic chocolate chip cookie with a tender center, chewy texture, and plenty of melted semi-sweet chocolate. The dough is chilled before baking, which helps the cookies keep their shape while staying thick and soft.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes or until well combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract one at a time until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Slowly mix in the dry ingredients and continue mixing until just combined, then mix in the chocolate chips on low-speed until fully incorporated into the cookie dough.
Cover the cookie dough tightly and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
Once the dough is almost chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator, using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough and drop onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave a little room between each ball of cookie dough.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the tops are set. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Recipe Notes
Measure the flour carefully. Stir the flour first, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level it with the back of a knife. Too much flour can make the cookies overly thick and prevent them from spreading properly.
Don't skip the chilling time. The minimum 2-hour refrigeration period is an important part of achieving the intended thickness and texture.
Use room-temperature eggs. They incorporate more evenly into the butter and sugar mixture. If needed, place the eggs in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Avoid overmixing. Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until the dough comes together.
Watch the baking time. The cookies are ready when the tops are set and the edges are lightly golden brown. They will continue setting as they cool on the baking sheet.
For round cookies: While they're still warm, gently reshape the edges with a spoon.
Nutrition
Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mgApproximate values per cookie, based on 38 cookies per recipe. Nutrition can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.