Chocolate chip cookies are a classic treat enjoyed by many around the world. While there are numerous variations of this beloved dessert, chewy chocolate chip cookies hold a special place in many hearts. Their soft, gooey centers and slightly crisp edges create a perfect balance that is hard to resist. This guide will explore the key elements that make chocolate chip cookies chewy, share a tried-and-true recipe, and offer tips for achieving cookie perfection.
Why you will love Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
You might love Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies for several reasons:
- Texture: The perfect chewy texture combines a slightly crisp edge with a soft and gooey center.
- Flavor: Rich, buttery dough packed with chocolate chips creates a delightful burst of chocolate in every bite.
- Nostalgia: They often bring back warm, comforting memories of home baking and childhood treats.
- Versatility: They can be enjoyed warm from the oven, with a glass of milk, or used as a base for ice cream sandwiches.
- Homemade Feel: Baking them at home fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma and gives a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (340g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat until well combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Chill the Dough: For the chewiest cookies, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours).
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Melted Butter: Using melted butter helps achieve a denser, chewier cookie.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps control the spread of the cookies, making them thicker and chewier.
- Brown Sugar: The high moisture content in brown sugar contributes to the chewiness of the cookies.
- Underbake Slightly: For the perfect chewy texture, slightly underbake the cookies. They will continue to cook as they cool.
Variations
- Add Nuts: For an extra crunch, add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.
- Different Chips: Experiment with different types of chips like dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
- Flavored Extracts: Substitute a teaspoon of vanilla extract with almond or coconut extract for a different flavor profile.
Enjoy these chewy chocolate chip cookies with a glass of cold milk, and they’re sure to become a favorite in your household. Happy baking!