Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers may still look slightly underbaked – that’s okay as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet after you take them out of the oven.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Once cooled, enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Feel free to customize this recipe to your preferences by adding nuts, using different types of chocolate chips, or adjusting the cookie size. The key to achieving the perfect chocolate chip cookie is often in the balance of ingredients and the baking time, so don’t be afraid to experiment to find your ideal cookie!