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Chocolate Chip Cookies (without a Stand Mixer)

These chocolate chip cookies are destined to be a classic recipe in your files. They’re crisp at the edges, chewy at the center, and loaded with plenty of chocolate throughout. A sprinkle of coarse salt sets them apart.

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These Chocolate Chip Cookies are crispy at the edges and chewy in the center.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Homemade chocolate chip cookies are one of those treats I rarely say no to. Whether I bake them myself or someone offers them up, they’re always an instant yes. 

Especially when those chocolate chip cookies are freshly baked, nobody needs to ask twice. There is just something special about a still-warm, super chocolatey, chewy cookie that can’t beat. It’s even more phenomenal with just the right balance of sweetness and a little touch of salty sprinkled on top.

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Just a touch of coarse salt on top balances out the sweetness.

A touch of coarse salt

What makes this chocolate chip cookie outstanding is the simple yet smart little touch of coarse sea salt on top of the melty chocolate, which gives us that wonderful salty/sweet balance.  Just a tiny pinch on top of each cookie makes a world of difference in flavor.

The use of brown sugar gives these chocolate chip cookies a rich molasses depth. The sugar levels in this recipe are adjusted to accommodate all the mouthwatering chocolate chunks that make these cookies so toothsome.

chocolate chip cookies with inside showing
There’s nothing like a cold glass of milk with warm chocolate chip cookies.

My main method of portion control is to bake up a small batch and freeze the rest of the raw cookie dough for later.  Another thing I do is morph into that crazy baker who wraps up goodies for anyone who is willing to help prevent myself from indulging in three too many cookies per sitting.

Feel free to freeze either raw dough or baked cookies, both of which will provide you with wonderfully delicious chocolate chip cookies just when you need them.

Other Cookies to Bake & Eat:


Try these buttery jam cookies, too:


Did you make this?

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Chocolate chip cookies recipe vertical close up

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

5 from 1 vote
These chocolate chip cookies are destined to be a classic recipe in your files. They're crisp at the edges, chewy at the center, and loaded with plenty of chocolate throughout. A sprinkle of coarse salt sets them apart.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 36
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup salted butter, just softened
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 1 TB vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups 12 oz all-purpose flour (use scale if you have one)
  • ¾ tsp coarse salt, not table salt plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 3 cups good quality semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350.  Be sure butter is just softened enough that it dents a bit when pressed.  Don't let it get too warm or border on melting, or it will not cream up to a fluffy texture.
  • Place butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Cream the mixture until it is light/airy and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes using electric hand mixer.  Add vanilla and eggs 1 at a time, beating until incorporated.
  • In separate bowl, mix baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour together.
  • Mix wet and dry ingredients until cookie batter is fully combined. If it's easier, mix batter with clean hands. Finally, add chocolate chips evenly into dough.
  • Drop about 2 TB of dough at a time onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (helps prevent sticking and allows cookies to spread/rise correctly.)
  • If desired, sprinkle a tiny pinch of coarse sea salt on top of cookies.  Bake for about 12 minutes, or just until the edges are turning golden brown.  Do not over bake!  The center may appear a bit underdone, but that's fine.
  • Remove immediately, keeping cookies on cookie sheet for a minute.  Transfer parchment paper with cookies still on top to a cool surface.  Let cool a few minutes on parchment paper before removing cookies.  Still-warm cookies are the best!

Notes

Yield is approximate, depending on actual size of cookies.
If you enjoyed this recipes, please come back and give it a rating ♡

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.9g | Protein: 2.7g | Fat: 10.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23.9mg | Sodium: 131.1mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 21g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Method: baking

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15 comments

    • Jackie

    Hi
    Can nuts be added to this recipe. If so, how much?

      • chewoutloud

      Jackie, nuts would be great; try 1/2 cup roasted/chopped nuts to start with.

    • Gen

    How do you bake the frozen dough? Does it have to be thawed or can I add minutes to the baking time?

      • chewoutloud

      I usually let my frozen dough sit at room temp about 30 min and then roll into balls, baking at the normal time. If you want to freeze dough that can be baked frozen, you would need to form the dough into balls and then freeze them airtight that way. Then, take frozen balls out to bake directly – in which case, you’d need to increase baking time. I usually just thaw mine first 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Gen!

    • theafterschoolchef

    I love this recipe and your blog so much!

    • Mary

    I’m just wondering..has anyone else tried this recipe? I’ve been looking for the perfect chewy chocolate chip cookie but haven’t quite found it yet. Has anyone had any luck?

    • dee

    Looks soo good!!

    • mmmarzipan

    wow! 🙂

    • trkingmomoe

    Mmmm they look good.

    • myhealthyohana

    I love the combination of sweet and salty. Does it have to be sea salt? Can it be kosher salt?

    I still have yet to find my ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe. My husband likes really chewy cookies, so I’m always on the lookout 🙂

    • Med School Mom

    It’s times like these that I miss have a working oven. These look so yummy.

    • thehungrymum

    Droooool. They look amazing.

    • distortedfocus

    Such a fabulous blog! Wow! I would love nay advice you have to offer me (a new blogger) on how you got your blog up and running and got people knowing about it! Mine is: http://distortedfocus.wordpress.com

    • epicureantease

    Mmmmmm!! Looks delicious!!

      • jetphan

      looks dope, will try. like the salt idea, good call

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