My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
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THIS POST HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 9/16/14 TO IMPROVE READER EXPERIENCE.
My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie doesn’t have any competition in our book. I’ve tried a lot of recipes, and nothing touches this one. It’s a small-batch chocolate chip recipe and only makes about 16 to 18 cookies so either hide a stash for yourself or make a double batch!
When I stepped back from the corporate world, one of my goals was to learn more about baking and cooking.
Sure, I knew how to cook and bake. I’ve done it all my life. I wanted to expand on my horizons so to speak.
I stumbled into a series called “Cooks Illustrated” and read it cover to cover every time one showed up in my mailbox. One of the issues had “The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie” recipe in it. This doesn’t always mean a lot to me so I set out to see what the buzz was.
The glory of this publication was that it discussed why they did what they did. What didn’t work and what did and summed it all up for me in a recipe.
Why this Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe works:
- Using more brown sugar than white sugar makes for a chewier cookie. I also prefer to use dark brown sugar 95% of the time.
- Butter is melted and then browned which gives these soft chocolate chip cookies a chewy texture and a deep rich caramel or toffee flavor.
- This recipe uses one whole egg and one egg yolk. Whites can draw moisture from your cookies. I’ve adopted this for a lot of my baked recipes when 2 eggs are called for. You will not ruin the recipe if you use 2 whole eggs, however.
- I use large 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. As you can see, there isn’t a bite missing chocolate. I also push a few chips right into the top after I’ve scooped them. Everyone wants to see chocolate in their chocolate chips right?
- These cookies start with a 3-tablespoon scoop! They’re large and rich. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a second one after finishing the first.
What’s the difference between Dark Brown Sugar and Light Brown Sugar?
The difference is the amount of molasses the sugar has in it as explained by Serious Eats. Dark Brown sugar has close to 3% more than light brown sugar. This difference, in my opinion, is a deeper caramel flavor.
You can substitute light brown sugar for dark. The most notable difference is the color. I think dark brown sugar is moister as well but it isn’t going to make a huge difference in your cookies.
If you substitute all white sugar for brown sugar, your cookies will be crispier, spread out more, and rise less.
Make your own Brown Sugar!
You can make your own brown sugar by adding a Tablespoon of Molasses to one cup of white sugar. Blend it in a food processor until it reaches a uniform color.
How do you make Brown Butter?
- I like using about a 10-inch skillet with a light-colored (or stainless) bottom. This is necessary so you can see the color change.
- Cook the butter over medium-high heat. As it melts, the water in the butter will cook-off. It can splatter so be careful that you don’t get burned.
- Once the butter starts to brown, swirl the pan or stir with a silicone or rubber spatula. You will see bits of dark specks collect on the bottom. These are the actual milk solids from the butter.
- Once the butter starts to brown it can go from dark to burning very quickly. Don’t leave it unattended.
- Once you’ve gotten it to a golden brown remove it from the heat and pour it into a glass or ceramic bowl so it stops cooking. Let it cool slightly.
Don’t forget to pin this amazing recipe!
These cookies are a bit more involved than your mix, scoop, and bake cookies but they’re totally worth it. Each batch makes 16 to 18 of The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever, but they are worth every extra buttery second. Each perfect chocolate chip cookie is gently crispy on the edges, and chocolatey-gooey chewy in the middle.
Here are a few gadgets to help you make “The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe”:
- Parchment Paper – This is my favorite parchment paper. It’s important to know that there is an oven temperature rating on parchment paper. If you exceed it your parchment paper can catch fire in your oven. TIP: Don’t reuse your parchment paper once you’ve baked on it. I find that it dries out and can get brittle making it subject to catching fire.
- Baking Sheets – These sheet pans are durable and I have four of them so I can get everything baked in a jiffy!
- Open Skillet – I prefer stainless steel cookware. It allows me to see how my food is cooking and browning. It cleans up beautifully with Bar Keepers Friend (powder) and is durable.
- Cookie Scoops – Ever wonder how every cookie, meatball or muffin is the same size? Scoops! I use them a lot and own this set. I’ve had them for years!
We love cookies! You can find all of our cookie recipes here!
I use these cookies as a currency now. When I want to do something nice for someone I’ll whip up a batch of My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
My little neighbor wanted to help bake up some Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from Scratch. I asked if we were making his recipe or mine. That was a rhetorical question of course. We made two batches. One for his house and one for mine because no one wants to share!
I’ve made this soft chocolate chip cookie recipe several times and love surprising John with them. I always have to leave him a little dough in the fridge. Life is short. Spoil the ones you love right?
Did you see the little nose sneaking in on John’s cookie? Poor girl didn’t even get a nibble.
Your cookies look perfect, is this what you would call a brown butter ccc? Always wanted to try that in baking, thanks for sharing:)
Yes, this is what you call brown butter. It is so flavorful. Butter is yummy, brown butter is delicious.
This will be the next ccc recipe I try, can’t wait to experience brown butter heaven:)
Wow cookies look dazzling…. nom nom…
Chocolate chip cookies are total comfort food Julie! These look so yummy – I have a number of Cooks Illustrated recipes – the “scientists” who provide a reason for everything 🙂
These cookies looks so yummy–just like a cookie from a bakery! 🙂
Thank you Nancy!
Loved that you participated in the charity event! And you certainly earned this delicious cookie! Looks so tempting – I wouldn’t have controlled myself if I were the puppy! LOL Happy FF!
She didn’t get the chance to get a crumb. John hoarded the whole thing for himself. He’s very selfish with cookies that way 🙂
I love to bake different things but my husband’s favorite will alwaysssss just be good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies. I have a recipe that I love but I’m saving this one for next time- they look so gooooood. Your post made me laugh with those “go away” comments! That’s all you’ll hear in our kitchen when I’m making something sweet too, and my pooch doesn’t get a taste either! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
My hubby mopes if I don’t save him some dough. Big baby. Thanks for visiting Stephanie!
Great walk for the cause! Love Chocolate Chip Cookies and these look yummy!
They were! Happy FF Arl!
Oh. My. Goodness. These look fantastic Julie – no wonder John asks for them. I am bookmarking the recipe for the next time I want to make CCC. Which may be tonight… Thanks for sharing these with us – Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thank you so much Selma. They are every bit as good as they look. They are now all gone. John polished them off 🙂
Will you make some more of these real soon?
The header picture alone is so mouthwatering that I would start baking them straight away 😉 No, seriously, I’ll try them this saturday for our visitors. Thanks for the inspiration!
Better make a double batch. Mine have already disappeared! Thank you for visiting Jan.
Those cookies look great, and I love the picture with you and John; you both are glowing! 🙂
I think it’s a good thing the recipe only makes 16-18. Ghirardelli chocolate chips are my favorite, too. I’ll take mine nutty–that explains a lot, doesn’t it? 😉
Oh Patti. You are such a sweetie!
These look wonderful! I’m making a big batch of cookies this weekend 🙂
These don’t make a large batch but the cookies are big/
Yum yum cookies
My sentiments exactly!
Chocolate chip cookies always has the winning vote in our home too! These look delicious and your recipe sounds great!
Thank you Nancy! These should be the country cookie. No the world cookie. 🙂 I guess you can tell I like them a whole bunch.
wow! i love this recipe! looks so tasty!
Thank you! I’ve made them several times, and they are always a hit.
So i have no choice but to try make them!:)
Your cookies are absolutely amazing and I like the addition of pecans or walnuts. I’m definitely give this a try 🙂 Have a nice day!
Thank you so much! Let me know what you think.
Yum yum I can drool over these! I’m still on the hunt to finding amazing gluten free chocolate chip cookies.
I am so fortunate that I don’t have to watch my gluten. There are so many talented bakers out there, I bet someone has done it.
The cookies looks great! Everyone loves cookies, right? 😀
They sure do in this house!
Awww they look super,!!!
I really need to make a vegan version to taste them! 😛
Let me know how they turn out! There are a lot of folks that would love a vegan version.
I’ll surely let you know when i map out something eheh 🙂
That’s need that you guys did that, and these cookies are making my mouth water!
This cookie looks just about perfect! Swooning looking at these pictures!
Thanks Pamela! They are just about as good as you can get with a cookie! Thank you so much for visiting!
STOP IT! They look amazing!
These are the most absolute best chocolate chip cookies ever! Everything that comes out of your kitchen is delicious though!
Ha! I don’t know if you are non-biased. I am afraid if I show you all my tricks you wont come visit 🙂
That is a beautiful cookie, next time I make chocolate chip cookies I am using your recipe.
Than you! These are definitely special. That brown butter really comes through.