Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

This chocolate chip cookie recipe makes dozens of cookies with crisp edgeschewy centersand melty chocolate chips. It is truly the best! With more than 14,000 rave reviews from the Allrecipes communitythis top-rated chocolate chip cookie recipe will quickly become your go-to for every occasion.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

Making bakery-worthy chocolate chip cookies is much easier than it seems. You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe belowbut let's go over the basics:

Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

These are the kitchen staples you'll need to make the best chocolate chip cookies of your life:

• Butter: This classic chocolate chip cookie recipe starts with two sticks of butter creamed with white and brown sugars. The blend of sugars creates a perfectly balanced flavor.
• Eggs: Eggs add moisture and act as a binding agentwhich means they help hold the dough together.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the chocolate chip cookies.
• Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavenerwhich means it helps the cookies rise.
• Water: A bit of hot water creates steam as it bakesworking with the baking soda to puff the cookies up.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredientsbut it won't make the cookies taste salty.
• Flour: All-purpose flour helps create glutenwhich adds structure to the cookie dough.
• Chocolate chips: Of courseyou'll need semisweet chocolate chips! You can use dark or milk chocolate chips if you prefer.
• Nuts (optional): Walnuts are optionalbut they add nutty flavor and a welcome crunch.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies Step-By-Step

Here's a very brief overview of what you can expect when you make chocolate chip cookies from-scratch:

1. Beat the butter and sugarsthen beat in the eggs and vanilla.
2. Dissolve the baking soda in hot water and add to the mixture.
3. Stir in the flourchocolate chipsand walnuts.
4. Drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake until the edges are golden brown.

How Long to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fthe chocolate chip cookies should be perfectly baked in about 10 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and the cookies should be mostly set (they'll continue to set as the cool).

Test Kitchen Tips

“Everyone needs a good chocolate chip cookie recipe,” says culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). Here are a few of her expert tips and tricks for making perfect chocolate chip cookies every time: 

• Beating the butter and sugar is the most important part of the chocolate chip cookie-making processaccording to Nicole. It takes a lot longer than you might think: She recommends beating the ingredients together for about four minutes.
• Nicole suggests chilling the dough before baking to prevent spreading. This is essential if you want a cookie that’s still a little gooey in the middleshe says. 
• Make sure to let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes after you take them out of the oven. This step prevents tearing and keeps each cookie in one piece.

How Long Do Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?

Store the cooled chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to go the extra milethrow a piece of white bread into the container — it'll absorb the dry air and keep the cookies soft for longer.

Learn more: How to Store Cookies So They Stay Fresh

Can You Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Yes! You can freeze baked chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip cookie dough.

• To freeze baked cookies: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheetcoverand freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the now-frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to two months.
• To freeze cookie dough: Drop balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to two months.

Learn more: How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough for Easy Baking

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"My go-to recipe," says Andrea Howard. "I sometimes add oatmealnutsraisinsetc. but they are also fantastic without. Crunchy and chewy in every bite!"

"This is hands down the best chocolate chip cookie recipe!" raves Baybos the baker man. "So good that we want to quadruple the recipe and freeze a few batches."

"I decided to give this recipe a try," says another reviewer. "I have been making chocolate chip cookies for my family for years and this recipe turned out to be the best for cookies ever! I usually add about 2 and a half cups of chocolate chips because it gives it that gooeychocolatey taste that I think chocolate chip cookies need."