Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies are a tried and true recipe with a special ingredient to keep them soft! These Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies are my go-to chocolate chip cookie and always a tried-and-true dessert.
SOFT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE
I feel like I’ve been holding out on you guys. To start, today is National Chocolate Chip Day, so if there’s any day I’m going to come clean – it’s today.
You guys love these Big, Fat, Chewy, Chocolate Chip Cookies and it’s the only regular chocolate chip cookie on here. It’s been my go-to forever.
Buuutt, what I haven’t told you is that for the past couple of years I’ve actually been making another chocolate chip cookie.
I’ve totally been cheating on you with a different cookie. This cookie.
With further inspection the recipes aren’t that different at all. A little more flour, a little less brown sugar, and a couple teaspoons of cornstarch.
But those little changes result in an entirely different cookie in my opinion. These cookies have 2 teaspoons of cornstarch which keeps them ultra soft.
Some cookies use a pudding mix to keep them soft but I like this recipe because it uses simple ingredients I have on hand.
I haven’t blogged about them because I actually saw them over at Center Cut Cook years ago and just send people her way. And please still go over there.
I did want them on my site as well since this is a recipe database for me and my family.
You know when you find THE cookie, you just can’t go back to any other one. That’s how I feel about these. These do call for chilling time which makes for a chewier cookie. It brings all of the ingredients together and results in a slightly crispy edges with a soft texture. These are the best chocolate chip cookies.
But full disclosure, ain’t nobody got time for that all of the time. I have once, twice, or five times NOT chilled them before baking them and they’re still good but even better if you can chill them.
If you want those perfectly melty and soft chocolate chips on top (maybe only food bloggers appreciate this), press in the chocolate chips on top right after the cookies come out of the oven. A little bit of sea salt on top takes these over the top.
THE SECRET TO SOFT COOKIES
- The reason your cookies aren’t soft is probably because you are overbaking them. Take the cookies out just when they have a tiny tinge of golden brown and let them sit on the pan for a few minutes to continue cooking at a lower temperature.
- Most people add too much flour, scooping the measuring cup into the flour container rather than spooning the flour into the measuring cup. Too much flour makes for a stiff cookie.
HOW TO MAKE SOFT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
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In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt).
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With a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or hand mixer), beat the brown sugar and white sugar with the melted butter until the sugars have dissolved into the butter. Add in the egg and egg yolk and beat to combine. Add the tablespoon vanilla extract.
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Slowly mix in the flour mixture into the sugar mixture on low speed until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
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Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
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When you’re ready to bake the cookies, pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees. Pull the dough out of the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes or longer.
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Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. The dough will be hard to roll but make cookie dough balls about 2 tablespoons in size. Press additional chocolate chips on top for the bakery look.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they get just a touch of golden on top. They will look underdone.
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Let the cookies cool for about 5-10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store cookies in an airtight container.
NO TIME TO CHILL
Chilling is what gives these cookies those soft centers. What if you don’t have time to chill? You can still bake these right away but for optimal results chill.
OTHER COOKIE RECIPES:
- The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe
- Almond Cookies
- My Big, Fat, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Monster Cookies
- No-Bake Cookies
- Cookie Dough truffles
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- S’mores Cookies
- Sugar Cookies
Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, , melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus more for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
- With a mixer, beat the brown sugar and granulated sugar with the melted butter until the sugars have dissolved into the butter. Add in the egg and egg yolk and beat to combine. Add the tablespoon vanilla extract.
- Slowly mix in the flour mixture until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight. If you don't have time to chill you can still make them right away they just won't have that super soft center.
- When you’re ready to bake the cookies, pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees. Pull the dough out of the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes or longer.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper. The dough will be hard to roll but make balls about 2 tablespoons in size. Press additional chocolate chips on top for the bakery look.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they get just a touch of golden on top. They will look underdone.
- Let the cookies cool for about 5-10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
Source: slightly adapted from Center Cut Cook
These cookies came out delicious although they didn’t brown for me at all. I also over baked them. They were in for a total of 17 minutes. I followed recipe exactly so not sure why they didn’t brown at all but still came out soft and slightly crispy.
Yeah they aren’t ones to brown very much
Thanks for the recipe. My kids loved it.
Yay!!
Hey there, this is my second time making these delicious cookies. And the first time they came out perfect, but this time they spread way too much. Completely flattened, do you know what could be the cause of this?
It could be your butter temperature. Was it too hot? Not enough flour?
This recipe is AMAZING! I have made it 4 times now and they are seriously the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. So soft and fluffy! I NEVER leave reviews but felt I needed to for these. Thank you!!!
Thank you for leaving a review Betsy!
This recipe looks copied from Sally’s baking addiction! All you did was change the starch to 2 tsp and chocolate chips to 1 cup 🙁
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies/#tasty-recipes-70437
Ranee, Sally got it from America’s Test Kitchen. She used to link to the recipe and say that’s where she got it. I state that I got the recipe from Center Cut Cook.
There is hardly ever going to be an absolute BRAND NEW “NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THIS BEFORE“ RECIPE. EVER.
“There is NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN“.
Everyone borrows from everyone else and THAT’s okay. As long as people have a choice of what to choose from and which suits them better it’s all good.
Everyone is inspired by someone else.
I’m curious what type of baking sheets you use. I’ve struggled as of late with my cookies deflating. I’ve checked oven temps, parchment vs silpat, chilled dough to new baking soda and powder. I’m convinced it’s my cookie sheets. Do you have a favorite? Thanks!
I like cephalon but honestly it hasn’t ever made a difference. You might not be adding enough flour or your butter is too hot.
Hi…I want to stuff my cookies with nutella in the inside..so if I follow this recipe and then also do a nutella filling will the cookies be too sweet? Please give me suggestions. Should I reduce the sugar?
Hmm yeah could be too sweet. Maybe reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup.
I’ve made these about three times now, They are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had,
They are soft and delicious, and pretty easy to make, I definitely recommend
Thank you!
The best chocolate cookie i have ever had… easy to make. thank you so much for sharing. Came out perfect = crispy on the outaide and soft inside
Thank you!
These are the absolute best, Can I make a batch, make into balls and freeze them? Making another batch today! Thanks!
Yes, totally!
Love this recipe! For future reference, can I freeze the cookie dough I don’t use right away, and if so, how would I go about defrosting them(and maybe an estimate of how long that process would take). Thank you!
I would thaw in the fridge for a day.
Can I just double the ingredients to make twice as many cookies?
Yes! Just double everything.
Holy smokes. These are the BEST cookies ever. The chilling process is spot on! The cake like texture is delish. I’ll be using this recipe anytime I crave a warm chocolate chip cookie. Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome!
Can self rising flour be used if I omit the baking powder and salt?
Yes!
These are delicious. But mine don’t melt down into cookie shape. They stay balls and barely seem to soften. Any idea why? I followed the recipe exactly.
Sounds strange. Is your oven not hot enough. Your butter too cold?
Same thing happened to me! Still delicious, but looked a little funny
These are AMAZING!!! Since I have Celiac Disease I needed to make them gluten free. I followed the recipe exactly except I substituted with King Arthur cup for cup gf flour. These were the exact texture I was looking for when trying to find a recipe! The only problem is trying to not eat all of them in one sitting!!
Good to know they can be made gluten-free.
I’m not a fan of soft cookies but my hubby is so I looked at different ones and decided on this one. Hubby LOVES them! Thank you for sharing this. It will be my go-to recipe for his new favorite cookie.
I’ll make one observation and suggestion. I chilled the dough overnight and it was SO hard, even after letting it sit at room temp for a while. I think what might work better, is to take the dough and mold it into a round log BEFORE refrigeration. Wrap with plastic and then once chilled, just cut to size. I’ll try that for the next batch.
Yes, it is hard but if you let is soften you are able to scoop. Seems counterintuitive but the chilling part helps.
Loved the recipe!! Super easy and yummy 😋 thank you so much for sharing !!! 🙂
You’re welcome!
Do you have keto chocolate chip cookies
Recipe
Not yet!
Never making toll houses again! This recipe is AAAAMAZING!!! Do you have any suggestions on how to turn this into a blondie?
So happy to hear that!
Take the chips out and bake in a bar?
These look amazing! I totally need to try them asap!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Thank you!
oh my god!! these are the perfect cookiesssss!! need to give them a go!!!
im drooling quite a bit i have to say
Beijinhos,
Jessy
https://dorky-and-weird.blogspot.com/
Thank you!
These are the best chocolate chip cookies my family and I have eaten. I won’t have to keep searching for the perfect recipe anymore. Thank you so much for sharing this.
You are welcome!
Your cookies sound so good but I like to add walnuts. Would I need to make any adjustments to the recipe to include them?
Just throw them in.
I have been using this recipe with my culinary art students, they love the cookies. Nice flavor, soft and chewy. My daughter also loves to make them at home and countless teachers have asked for the recipe. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe with us.
So happy to hear that!
AWESOME recipesi love making them
Thanks me too!
AWESOME recipes
Thank you!
The recipe is horrible. I did everything including chilling them and I have to throw the whole batch out
Sorry. Many people love this recipe. Think you did something wrong.
I know this is probably a dumb question, but here I go! You said the dough is hard to roll into balls after chilling. Could you roll the dough into balls, then chill it?
Absolutely!
I’m not sure why the reviews on here say these are the best cookies. This recipe turned out terrible. The cookies would not bake, not enough butter or too much flour. Waste of time.
Your oven may be off temperature wise
These are easy and fool-proof not to mention delicious!!!
Sorry. Hundreds of people disagree.
Hands down the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have ever made. This is now my go-to when I need to share with friends or co-workers!
So happy to hear that!
This is what cookie dough should look and feel and taste like! My family, like most, are great lovers of the chocolate chip cookie. I spent so long looking for a recipe that wouldn’t leave me saying “it could be better.” And, since I found this recipe I haven’t used another. Thanks for sharing!
So glad to hear that!