Description
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nothing beats these homemade chocolate chip cookies—easy to make and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups mini chocolate chips
Steps:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare baking trays.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
Beat butter, sugars, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs.
Blend dry ingredients into wet; stir in mini chips.
Drop spoonfuls of dough and bake for 12 minutes.
Mini chips mean chocolate in every bite!
#BiteSizedJoy
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line your baking trays with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and aids in cleanup.
2. Dry Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract, whole egg, and egg yolk until fully incorporated.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until no white streaks remain. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough cookies.
5. Add Chips: Use a spatula to fold in the 2 cups of mini chocolate chips. The mini chips ensure maximum chocolate distribution.
6. Portion & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared trays, leaving 2 inches between for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft.
7. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for them to set properly.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these cookies warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk. For a decadent twist, crumble a cookie over vanilla ice cream or use two cookies to make an ice cream sandwich. They also pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or as a sweet addition to a lunchbox.
How-to Summary
In short: Whisk dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry and wet mixes, fold in mini chocolate chips, scoop onto trays, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini? Yes, but mini chips provide more chocolate coverage per bite. If using standard chips, consider using 1 1/2 cups.
Why is my butter and sugar mixture grainy? Your butter likely wasn’t softened enough. Ensure it’s at cool room temperature for proper creaming.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely. You can refrigerate the dough, covered, for up to 72 hours. This often results in richer flavor and thicker cookies.
My cookies spread too much. What happened? Your butter was probably too warm or melted. Ensure ingredients are measured correctly, and try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
How do I store these cookies? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies or portioned dough balls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using melted butter: This causes excessive spreading. Use softened butter only.
- Overmixing the dough: Mix just until combined after adding flour to avoid tough cookies.
- Overbaking: Remove cookies when edges are set but centers look soft. They continue to cook on the hot tray.
- Measuring flour incorrectly: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Scooping directly packs in too much flour.
- Placing dough on warm trays: Always use cool baking trays for each batch to prevent immediate melting and spreading.
Conclusion
Mastering this classic chocolate chip cookie recipe is a foundational baking skill. By following this detailed guide and avoiding common pitfalls, you can consistently produce perfectly chewy, chocolate-filled cookies that are sure to delight. The simplicity of the process and the universal joy of the result make this a timeless recipe worth perfecting. Happy baking!
