The Best Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Sweet moments often emerge from unexpected kitchen magic, where classic chocolate chip sugar cookies capture hearts with their irresistible charm.

These delectable treats blend traditional sugar cookie comfort with rich chocolate morsels in every delightful bite.

Soft, buttery, and perfectly balanced, the cookies promise a delightful experience that transcends ordinary desserts.

Each golden-edged morsel carries a whisper of nostalgia and pure joy.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center studded with melting chocolate chips that dance across your palate.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary when mixed with love and a pinch of baking passion.

You’ll find these cookies are the perfect companion for afternoon tea, midnight snacks, or sharing with loved ones.

Grab a warm cookie and let the deliciousness transport you to pure happiness.

Why Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Are Classic

• Craft Seasonal Delight: Combine vibrant orange and tart cranberry for a festive cookie that celebrates winter flavors and brings warmth to your kitchen.
• Master Simple Baking: Create professional-looking shortbread with minimal baking skills, using basic ingredients and straightforward techniques that guarantee delicious results every single time.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Impress guests with elegant, zesty cookies that work beautifully for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, or casual get-togethers with friends and family.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows quick modifications like swapping cranberries for other dried fruits or adjusting glaze intensity to match personal taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed for Sugar Cookie Batches

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden exterior on the cookies.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic sugar cookie form.
• Chocolate Chips: Delicious morsels that add bursts of chocolate flavor throughout the cookie.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's rich texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, deep flavor that complements the chocolate and sugar.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, slightly cakey texture.
• Extra Sugar (Optional): Gives the cookies a sparkling, crisp exterior when rolled before baking.

Baking Steps for Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven toasty at 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Whip Up Butter and Sugar

Grab a big mixing bowl and beat the softened butter and sugar together until they become light, fluffy, and looking like a cloud of deliciousness.

Step 3: Bring in Egg and Flavor

Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla extract.

Mix everything until it’s smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.

Stir gently until everything just comes together – don’t overmix!

Step 6: Sprinkle Chocolate Magic

Tenderly fold in chocolate chips using a spatula.

Make sure they’re evenly spread throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape Cookie Treasures

Roll the dough into cute little balls.

Want extra sparkle? Roll them in sugar for a glittery finish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place cookie balls on prepared sheets, leaving space between each. Slide into the oven and bake until edges turn golden but centers stay soft.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Allow them to cool completely before devouring.

Notes Before Baking Sugar Cookie Batches

• Leave butter out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even creaming without melting.
• Lightly coat chocolate chips in flour before folding into dough to prevent sinking and ensure even spread throughout cookies.
• Roll cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a sparkling, crisp exterior and professional-looking shine.
• Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked to maintain soft, chewy texture.
• Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1-inch dough balls for even baking and professional appearance.

Fun Swaps for Classic Sugar Cookie Fans

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace half the chocolate chips with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace egg with a flax egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based alternative.
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking and drizzle with caramel sauce after cooling for a gourmet touch.

What Pairs With Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Milk: Indulge in a classic cold glass of whole milk that perfectly complements the rich chocolate chips and sweet sugar cookie base. The cool, smooth milk balances the warm, buttery cookie texture.
• Enhance with Espresso Shot: Serve alongside a small shot of robust espresso to cut through the sweetness and add a sophisticated coffee undertone. The strong espresso highlights the chocolate's deep flavor profile.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful dessert experience by serving warm cookies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth ice cream provides a luxurious contrast to the crisp cookie edges.

Keeping Sugar Cookies Soft for Days

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Shape cookie dough balls, place on baking sheet, freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bag. Store up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Preserve freshness for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

FAQs

• Why do I need to cream butter and sugar for so long?

Creaming helps incorporate air into the mixture, creating a lighter, softer cookie texture. It also helps the sugar dissolve, resulting in a smoother, more even batter.

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips. Chopped chocolate bars work great too, giving you more texture and flavor variety.

• What if my dough is too sticky to roll?

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. The cold temperature will firm up the butter, making it easier to roll into balls without sticking to your hands.

Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet and irresistible chocolate chip sugar cookies deliver classic comfort with a delightful twist. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and rich chocolate morsels promise a delectable treat you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Optional: extra sugar for rolling

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie performance.
2. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Enhance the mixture by incorporating egg and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and fully integrated.
4. Craft a dry ingredient blend by whisking flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
5. Merge wet and dry ingredients gradually, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Introduce chocolate chips by folding them delicately throughout the dough, ensuring even dispersion for consistent flavor in each bite.
7. Shape the cookie dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, optionally rolling them in additional sugar for a crystalline exterior.
8. Arrange dough balls on prepared sheets, maintaining sufficient spacing to allow for slight spreading during baking.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, targeting golden-edged cookies with centers that remain soft and tender.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Soften butter completely at room temperature for smooth, creamy mixing without lumps.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain thick, chewy texture.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips for richer, more intense flavor and better melting characteristics.
• Customize by swapping chocolate chips with nuts, dried fruit, or different chocolate varieties for unique taste experiences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg