If you’re looking for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the whole world…I have it right here!
I have made Nestle Tollhouse, Cook’s Illustrated, Paula Deen’s and many other chocolate chip cookie recipes in my life. And while they have all added to my weight gain over the years (ahem), none of them were the absolute perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. Some came darn close – but never 100% perfect.
But I finally have found it.
The Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.
The recipe that out-does all other chocolate chip cookie recipes. The chocolate chip cookie recipe that meets all my tests, one that turns out perfectly for me every time. One that I can freeze into balls and that would bake up just as good as if you baked them without freezing since I love freezer cooking.
As I have been getting more into cooking more from scratch, finding a recipe that used real butter instead of shortening was a must. But it was hard to get a cookie that didn’t fall flat, or turn out nice and soft in the middle using butter. That was until now. These real ingredient chocolate chip cookies are soft in the middle and a little chewy and crispy on the outside.
Basically the perfect cookie.
This one tops them all. Seriously, my search is over! It’s FINALLY over.
My criteria for the perfect chocolate chip cookie was:
- Must use “real” butter, not shortening
- Must use “real” vanilla, not imitation
- Must taste amazing. Even the next day.
- Needed to be soft and not flat
- Needed to use quality chocolate chips (I love milk chocolate Ghirardelli)
- Needed to be able to be frozen, baked later and turn out perfectly since I am a huge freezer meal gal.
This recipe met all these tests 100% perfectly.
In fact, I will let the pictures show you how good these are.
You can see how beautiful this cookie looks on the inside – a perfect blend of chewy and soft melty goodness.
My personal secret: make sure your cookies are a nice big size. I usually roll mine into 1/4 cup or 4 Tablespoon sized balls. In fact, I use this cookie scoop which is the perfect size.
If you want that gooey center with a bit of chewy outside…make them big.
I love that this chocolate chip cookie recipe is not too flat, and the flavor is to die for. I was given this recipe by a friend who got it from hereistherecipe.com.
If you want to freeze this cookie dough, just form into balls and freeze individually. Then place into a ziploc freezer bag until you are ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to your baking time and enjoy.
These cookies are pretty much the best thing ever, especially after a big freezer meal cooking marathon…. ……totally hits the spot.
Here is the Master Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that you can print out!
Master Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups real unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 12 oz Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips or other quality chocolate chips, 11.5 .
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix to combine and set aside.
- Using paddle attachment on mixer, cream butter and sugars together just until blended.
- Add eggs, one a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla.
- Put mixer on low speed, and add in dry ingredients.
- Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in chocolate chips by hand gently.
- It's best to make bigger cookies for the right texture - so I would recommend using a 4 Tablespoon size scoop to form your cookies.
- Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes. I like mine to look a little undercooked in the middle, then let them finish cooking on the cookie sheet for a few minutes while they cool. Then move them to a cookie rack or plate to keep cooling.
- If you are freezing these cookies: Form into balls, and freeze on a cookie sheet. After frozen remove and add to a Ziploc freezer bag. They will last for about a month in the freezer. To bake just take out and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes of baking time.
Nutrition
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Come back to this post and give me your honest opinions. I think it’s the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever and I hope you do, too.
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Comments & Reviews
Sheri says
I have tried many, many, many, chocolate chip cookie recipes. Looking for crispness on the bottom, fluffy on top and chewy in the center. Your recipe has all three! These won hands down!
Dezi says
I made these cookies today and the cookie dough was the best tasting dough I’ve ever had! However, the cookies turned out flat. No thickness to them at all. I was wondering what altitude you live at where you do your baking? I know that can have a huge impact on how baked goods turn out. Im looking forward to your response. Thank you!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Hmmm..I am not sure why yours turned out flat, Dezi. Was your butter room temp when you started or melted? I always make sure my butter is room temp first, I think it makes a difference. Also, not sure about your humidity and elevation but I know that can play into it sometimes too. And always check your baking powder and baking soda. If it is old it can make cookies go flat!
Nicole says
OMG I just made these for my kids as I do not eat cookies, and I am serious, just not a fan. These are fantastic. The kids loved them. So I gave them a try and I agree they taste good but still not a fan. One thing that I did add was cornstarch. I found several other receipes that ask for it. It is suppose to help with the soft and chewyness. I used two teaspoons. Thank you for this amazing receipe.
Valinda says
Good taste but crunchy, not soft. I think I’ll cut down on the flour next time!
Caelan says
Hi Valinda,
Same here. A nice recipe perhaps, and the results are reasonable and more than edible 😉 , if not flat enough.
I halved the recipe, however, using only one egg, etc., and added some lightly-crushed pecan halves and extra chocolate chips (50% dark Chipits). I also halved the size of the cookies and didn’t flatten them. I also had to use a roughish stone pizza baking plate that had to be pre-warmed to avoid cracking, so the extra heat all at once probably didn’t help either.
I don’t recall using a recipe in the past that called for both baking soda And baking powder, but I could be wrong, as it has been awhile.
I only did a small test batch this late night, so tomorrow, for the rest of the batter, I might add a touch more butter– maybe completely melted from the microwave– and maybe a touch of milk (since I didn’t add vanilla extract) and see what happens. 🙂
Anyway, that’s part of the nice thing about comments is in getting some insight from others.
Teri says
Thank you for this recipe! I can finally make a chocolate chip cookie that I can’t see through. I have difficulty with them for some reason! I used light brown sugar and the cookies were fine. Best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever!!
Molly says
Do you have to use dark brown sugar? Or is light brown okay? Can’t run to the store to buy dark brown 🙁
Happy.MoneySaver says
I haven’t tried substituting light brown sugar for the dark brown sugar. Give it a try and let me know what you think! 🙂
McKenna says
I just made these, and they are definitely THE BEST cookies I have EVER made!
Amy says
I used a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugars and added the dry ingredients about a cup and a half at a time mixing by hand. I used toll house semi sweet chips. Simply the best tasting cookies ever! Thank you for sharing. Everybody at the office wants your recipe. I’ll never bother making them any other way.
Happy.MoneySaver says
You’re welcome! I am so glad you like them!
Cari Platt says
I have always used the “Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookie” off the back of my Gold Medal Flour bag. They are perfect. Very similar to your recipe but a little more flour…4 cups, 3 sticks of salted butter, and a tablespoon of vanilla. I use the large ice cream scoop and bake at 350 just until the shine disappears on top of the cookie. About 13 minutes. These cookies look just like your and freeze great too. There will not be ONE cookie left unless i hide them. I use Ghirradeli chips too. Right before i stick my cookies in the oven i sprinkle a tiny bit of kosher salt on the top and yum!
Heather says
My son and I just whipped up a batch and they are Amazing! Especially on this cold day along some hot chocolate!
Chelsea says
I tried this recipe just now, and may I just say….FABULOUS!!! Oh my goodness….best cookies I have ever had. Thank you for sharing!
Karrie says
So glad you like it!
MARIANGELES says
HELLO, THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS RECIPE.
I WILL DEFINITELY TRY IT, BUT MY INGREDIENTS WILL BE EVEN BETTER QUALITY:
•3 ½ cups flour -ORGANIC GLUTEN FREE
•1 ¼ tsp baking soda
•1 ½ tsp baking poder -ALUMINUM FREE
•¾ tsp salt -SEA SALT
•1 ¼ cups real unsalted butter – ORGANIC
•2 ¼ cups TURBINADO SUGAR + 2 Tbsp
•2 large eggs -ORGANIC
•2 tsp vanilla extract – ORGANIC
•1 (11.5 oz.) bag Ghiradelli chocolate chips, or other quality chocolate chips -ORGANIC & WITHOUT WHITE SUGAR
I MIGHT ADD CHOPPED WALNUTS OR PECANS OR CASHEWS, ORGANIC OF COURSE.
I’VE MADE A SIMILAR RECIPE BEFORE W/ THESE INGREDIENTS & RESULTS ARE QUITE DELICIOUS.
NOWADAYS IT’S IMP. CONSUME ORGANIC & NON GMO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, IF YOU WANT TO STAY HEALTHY & AVOID CANCERS.
Karrie says
I love organics too and often will use them too in this recipe. Thanks for your comment!
cody says
thank you for the recipe!!! I loved them!!! Will make more !!!
sandra says
I made these today and WOW they ARE the best!! We couldn’t keeo ourselves from eating the dough either!! Thank you!
Manette says
I made these last night and they turned out fantastic! I used salted butter because that is all I had and cut back salt to a 1/4 tsp and also only had imitation vanilla and tollhouse chips so used them, best cookie I have ever made. My chocolate chip cookies are always flat, these turned out very thick, they are even great today when they are not hot. Thank you so much for sharing this and taking the time to come up with the perfect cookie.My family is raving about them.
Karrie says
Awesome, so glad you love this!
Rebecca says
I’ve noticed this asked a few times but it’s seems to be the only comments not replied to. What size bag or amount of chocolate chips are needed? Thank you!
Karrie says
I am sorry, I must have missed this question earlier. I use and 11.5 oz. bag of Ghiradelli chocolate chips. The whole bag. 🙂
Kristina says
Karrie, you are right! These are the best ever chocolate chips cookies! Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
Best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever! At first, I was a little skeptical that this was the best recipe out there, but Karrie you are right! These are amazing and soooooo moist. Thank you so much for sharing these recipes. My family and I are truly grateful for all of the good recipes you put on this website. Thank you for all of your hard work!
Jessie Lewis says
You are an answer to my six roommates and my prayers to Jesus to save money and eat amazingly, Karrie.
Last week I made PB cookies but the fell apart… can’t wait for these!
Kate says
I made these yesterday with my kids and they turned out awesome! I used whole wheat flour so I reduced the baking time a little so they wouldn’t turn out too hard and it worked perfectly! Thanks for the recipe Karrie!
Courtney says
Just made a quad batch on sunday (day of rest *eyes rolling*) and my family loved them. Thanks Karrie, these cookies are the best!!
Karrie says
LOL – so funny! Glad you liked them!