Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Discover the best chocolate chip cookie recipe for soft, chewy, and perfectly golden cookies. Made with a blend of cake flour and bread flour, rich butter, and loaded with chocolate chips, these cookies are bakery-quality treats you can make at home. Learn how to make the ultimate cookies with tips for chilling the dough, flavor variations, and storage. Perfect for dessert, holiday parties, or anytime you crave a classic chocolate chip cookie!

Ingredients

• 1 ⅔ cups (208g) cake flour
• 1 ⅔ cups (208g) bread flour
• 1 ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp coarse salt
• 1 ¼ cups (284g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ cups (225g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 16 oz (about 3 cups) chocolate chips or chunks

Yields: Approximately 45 dough balls, each about 35 grams.

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Instructions

1. Sift the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, bread flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
   • Repeat the sifting process 2-3 times to aerate the flour for a lighter dough.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
   • Cut the room-temperature butter into cubes and place it in a mixing bowl.
   • Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
   • Beat the mixture with a mixer on medium speed for about 5 minutes, until it becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
3. Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla:
   • Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
   • Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Mix in the Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined and a smooth dough forms.
5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips:
   • Using a spatula, gently fold the chocolate chips or chunks into the dough until evenly distributed.
6. Chill the Dough:
   • Transfer the dough to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, up to 72 hours. Don’t skip this step—it enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies!
7. Bake the Cookies:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • Scoop out 35-gram dough balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them on the baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.
   • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set.
8. Cool and Serve:
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or store for later!

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Tips

• Weigh Your Ingredients: For the best results, weigh your ingredients instead of using volume measurements. This ensures accuracy and consistency.
• Room-Temperature Butter and Eggs: Using room-temperature ingredients helps them blend more smoothly, creating a uniform dough.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough not only enhances the flavor but also prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Underbake for Soft Cookies: If you prefer a soft, chewy center, bake until the edges are golden and the centers are slightly undercooked. They will firm up as they cool.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Chocolate Variations: Use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate chips, or a mix of all three for a rich flavor.
• Add Nuts: Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch.
• Flavored Extracts: Swap out vanilla extract for almond, hazelnut, or even peppermint extract for a unique twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace the flours with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Brown Butter: Elevate the flavor by browning the butter before creaming it with the sugars.

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FAQs

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough allows the flour to fully hydrate, which enhances the flavor and improves the cookie’s texture, making it chewier and more flavorful.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes! Portion the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake and bread flour?

Yes, but the combination of cake and bread flours creates a unique balance of tenderness and chewiness. Using all-purpose flour will result in slightly different texture.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a glass of cold milk for a classic treat.
• Crumble over vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
• Pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy snack.
• Add a drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect Texture: A combination of cake flour and bread flour creates the ideal balance of soft, chewy, and crispy textures.
• Rich Flavor: The long chilling time deepens the flavor, making these cookies taste like bakery-quality treats.
• Customizable: Endless options for mix-ins, from chocolate chips to nuts, make this recipe adaptable to your preferences.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies are a hit at parties, holidays, and family gatherings!