If you’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate indulgence that delivers just the right balance of chewiness, crisp edges, and gooey chocolate bliss, look no further. This is The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe you’ll ever try, and I’m not exaggerating. With a perfect blend of bread flour for structure, a unique use of butter-flavored Crisco that adds incredible tenderness, and generous chunks of chocolate chips tucked in every bite, these cookies bring comfort and joy together in the most delicious way imaginable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these cookies lies in a handful of simple, straightforward ingredients. Each one plays an essential role, whether it’s building the perfect texture, creating richness, or adding that crave-worthy flavor that makes you reach for just one more cookie.
- 2¼ cups bread flour: Provides a sturdy yet tender crumb, giving these cookies their ideal chewy texture.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just right while contributing to that classic cookie rise.
- 1 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the cookie.
- 1 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening: This unexpected ingredient ensures a light, fluffy texture with melt-in-your-mouth richness.
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with the crisp cookie edges.
- ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like flavor and keeps the cookies moist.
- 2 large eggs: Provide structure and moisture, binding all the ingredients seamlessly.
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, inviting aroma and enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
- 2 cups chocolate chips: The star of the show, giving every bite a luscious burst of chocolate.
How to Make The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF — this temperature is perfect for achieving those golden brown edges with chewy centers. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the bread flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, so your cookies bake uniformly without any surprises.
Step 3: Cream Shortening and Sugars
In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the butter flavored Crisco, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air to give your cookies that wonderful lift and tender texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and glossy. These ingredients add moisture and richness, and the vanilla boosts the overall flavor, making the cookies irresistible.
Step 5: Incorporate the Flour Mixture
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet batter. Mixing slowly here prevents overworking the dough, which could lead to tough cookies. You want a soft, pliable dough that holds its shape but still feels tender.
Step 6: Stir In Chocolate Chips
Fold in those generous chocolate chips until evenly dispersed throughout the dough. This is where the cookie truly comes alive with delightful pockets of melted chocolate.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto your prepared sheets, spacing them enough to allow spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops are lightly golden brown, signaling the perfect bake.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute — this helps them set — then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time lets the flavors deepen and the texture finish perfectly.
How to Serve The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking elevates the sweetness and brings a gourmet touch. For extra fun, try topping with a few mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to add both visual appeal and crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a cold glass of milk for that classic combo, or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Warm hot cocoa or coffee make delightful companions to balance all that sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Rather than just stacking these beauties on a plate, why not try assembling cookie sandwiches with peanut butter, Nutella, or marshmallow fluff in the middle? Or crumble them over ice cream sundaes for an unexpected, crunchy twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep these cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll maintain their softness and flavor for up to a week, making it easy to snack anytime you want.
Freezing
This cookie dough freezes exceptionally well. Scoop out the dough balls onto a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time for a fresh-baked treat whenever you crave.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to life, warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a 300ºF oven for a few minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate that everyone dreams of.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter for the shortening?
Absolutely! Butter will give a richer flavor but may change the texture slightly, making the cookies a bit denser or chewier. The shortening is key for that light, tender crumb, but butter is a delicious alternative.
Why use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Bread flour has a higher protein content, which helps create a chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with crisp edges. It’s one of the secrets behind The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, feel free to toss in chopped walnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts for added crunch and flavor — just adjust the amount of chocolate chips if you like a balanced mix.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your dough is well-chilled, and avoid using too much butter or shortening. Also, placing the cookie dough balls sufficiently apart on the baking sheet helps maintain their shape during baking.
What is the best way to store these cookies long term?
For longer storage, freezing the baked cookies in airtight containers works great. Thaw at room temperature and warm them slightly before enjoying.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into homemade cookies fresh from the oven, especially when you’re armed with The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. The combination of simple ingredients, a foolproof method, and that unbeatable texture will have you making these time and time again. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to cookie recipe for every occasion – so don’t hesitate, bake a batch today!
Print
The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 24 cookies)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate chips, making them the perfect homemade treat. Using bread flour and a mix of shortening and sugars ensures a tender texture with just the right amount of sweetness and a slight crisp on the edges.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¼ cups bread flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Add-Ins
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined, then set aside.
- Cream shortening and sugars: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the butter flavored Crisco shortening with the white sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, along with the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly to incorporate.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed to form a smooth dough.
- Stir in chocolate chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough evenly with a spatula.
- Portion dough onto sheets: Using a medium cookie scoop, drop scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them adequately apart to allow spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies turn slightly golden brown on the edges.
- Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Using bread flour helps achieve a chewier texture compared to all-purpose flour.
- Shortening creates a softer cookie with a subtle buttery flavor and good structure.
- Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft inside.
- For a richer taste, you may substitute half of the shortening with butter.
- Ensure cookies cool completely to set properly and enhance flavor.
