Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

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Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe that makes super soft chocolate, super yummy chip cookies – no mixer necessary, no chilling needed.

I’ve made a lot of chocolate chip cookies. A lot a lot. Probably more cookies than I should say. Sometimes, I break out my mixer and make a recipe like my brownie cookie recipe that needs time to chill.

Other times, I want cookies five minutes ago. When those cookie cravings hit, I need a simple, easy, go-to cookie that I can whip up in just a few minutes.

This Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is just such a recipe. The cookies can be made from scratch in less than 20 minutes, and there’s no need to get the mixer out or to chill the dough. All of which make this the simplest chocolate chip cookie recipe.

What Makes This the Simplest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe?

This recipe uses just a few basic ingredients – flour, sugar, baking soda, salt.

Also, it is so fast and so easy – no mixer needed, no chilling required – that the cookies can be mixed up and baked in less than twenty minutes.

How To Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

For this recipe, you’re going to start by melting the butter. The butter shouldn’t be sizzling hot. If you’re not sure how hot is too hot, you’ll want it about 90% melted, and then you’ll whisk it until it finishes melting.

Once the butter has melted, whisk in the sugars until well-combined. Mix in the vanilla extract and egg.

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in just until combined. You don’t want to overmix the dough.

Stir in the chocolate chips, and then scoop the dough. Place about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake until the cookies are set on the edges but slightly underdone in the middle, about 7-10 minutes.

Slightly under-baking the cookies helps to keep them soft. Since oven temperatures can vary, you may find that you need to adjust the baking times.

Can I Use an Electric Mixer?

Sure! You can use one if you would prefer. I do recommend mixing in the flour by hand, though, to avoid overmixing the dough.

Tips/FAQ

There are over 1,000 comments and questions on this recipe. I’ve added this section to answer some of the common questions in the hope that it saves people from having to try to sift through all of those comments. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, please feel free to ask!

Gluten Free: I haven’t tried it, but I’ve heard from several people who have used a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour in this recipe, and they’ve said that it worked well. However, I haven’t heard from anyone regarding other flours, such as almond flour.
Butter: This recipe begins with melted butter. I prefer to use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer.
- The butter should just barely be melted. That means that it shouldn’t be sizzling hot or browned.
- If you’re worried about getting it too hot, melt the butter about 90% of the way and then whisk it until it is completely melted.
Sugars:This recipe uses both brown sugar and granulated (white sugar). If you would like to use only brown sugar, check out my brown sugar chocolate chip cookie recipe.
- Using only granulated sugar will give you crispier cookies.
- For this recipe, you can use either dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will give you a slightly richer flavor.
Measuring Flour: If you aren’t weighing your ingredients, I can’t recommend that enough. If you are using measuring cups, be sure to sift or stir the flour before measuring. Flour packs easily and using too much flour in cookies will give you dry, crumbly dough and cookies that don’t spread.
Salt: Kosher salt is a larger-grain salt that isn’t as “salty” as table salt. If you’re using table salt, be sure to use 1/4 teaspoon.
- Please note the measurements on the salt. I’ve seen people who have commented that the cookies were salty, and it turned out that they had used several times the amount of salt that the recipe calls for.
Chocolate Chips: I use semisweet chocolate chips. You can use dark, bittersweet, milk, or white chocolate chips.
- People have used all sorts of mix-ins, like M&Ms or other candy and chip combinations, in this recipe.

Tips For Making Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

The best way to make soft chocolate chip cookies is to slightly under-bake the cookies. In order to slightly under-bake the cookies, the edges should look set (but not brown).

The center of the cookies should look soft and even a little puffy still. This trick will help to keep your cookies nice and soft.

Kitchen Tools I Use When Making Homemade Cookies

Here are some of my must-have kitchen essentials that help to make this recipe even easier.

Whisk: A good whisk doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s a kitchen must-have for really combining ingredients like the melted butter and sugars.

Cookie Scoop: I use my cookie scoop so often that I bought a second one. It’s great for scooping cookies, mini muffins, and even meatballs.

Silicone Spatula: A great all-purpose spatula is a must-have. They’re great for incorporating dry ingredients that are harder to whisk in and scraping the bowl.

Kitchen Scale: Using a kitchen scale is easier than measuring with measuring cups. It’s also more accurate! I was a holdout for a long time, but now I love using my kitchen scale.

More Easy Cookie Recipes!

Chewy Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’ve tried this easiest chocolate chip cookie recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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4.97 from 1578 votes

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Author Kate @ I Heart Eating

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 18 minutes minutes

Easiest chocolate chip cookie recipe - no mixer, no chilling necessary. Also, check out the video just above the recipe!

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup butter
▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour¹
▢ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt²
▢ 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Microwave the butter for about 40 seconds. Butter should be completely melted but shouldn't be hot.
In a large bowl, mix butter with the sugars until well-combined.
Stir in vanilla and egg until incorporated.
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Please read the recipe note about properly measuring flour.
Mix dough until just combined. Dough should be soft and a little sticky but not overly sticky.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of dough (medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are set. They will be puffy and still look a little underbaked in the middle.³

Video

Notes

Be sure to fluff and then scoop and sweep to measure the flour. Too much flour will result in a dry or crumbly cookie. For the ingredient measurements by weight, please click "metric" directly underneath the ingredients.
Or 1/4 teaspoon table salt.
Don't over-bake the cookies, or you won't end up with soft cookies. Several people have said that they've needed to bake the cookies for longer. Since oven temps can vary, I suggest starting with the listed baking time and increasing the time as needed.
If you're interested in the chocolate version of these cookies, you can find that recipe here.
Nutrition facts are estimates.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @katedean and Pinterest @katedean for more!

Published 8/16/16. Updated with new photos and tips 10/3/18.

Adapted from Pinch of Yum.

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Created by Kate

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

Reader Interactions

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Comments & Reviews

Meghaan says
March 8, 2024

I’ve been using this recipe for 2+ years. It is the simplest and most reliable cookie recipe I’ve ever used. I share it with everyone that asks and they rave as well!
Reply
- Kate says
  March 8, 2024
  Thank you! And thank you for sharing the recipe!
  Reply
Nellie says
March 6, 2024
I of course forgot to sift the flower but added a little oil and got the dough to a good consistency. Delicious!!!
Reply
- Kate says
  March 7, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Denise says
March 6, 2024
Perfect and easy!
Reply
- Kate says
  March 6, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Safiya says
March 4, 2024

I LOVE this recipe! I have been using it for over a month and it fails to make the best treat at every family gathering and birthday party! I will keep using this recipe from now on!
Reply
- Kate says
  March 4, 2024
  Thank you! I’m glad that you like the cookies!
  Reply
Andrea says
March 3, 2024

Best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever made! Thanks for the recipe. We mixed m&ms and the semi sweet chocolate chips and it was the perfect combo.
Reply
- Kate says
  March 4, 2024
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Natalie Ligato says
March 3, 2024

Hello,
Just made these cookies this morning, they were easy and so good!
Can’t wait for the kids to try them! Hope I don’t eat them all before then:)
Thanks for the recipe!
Reply
- Kate says
  See Also
  Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction
  March 4, 2024
  Thank you! I’m glad that you liked the cookies!
  Reply
Lynne says
March 2, 2024

Very good just the way I like them soft and chewy,,,,yummy
Reply
- Kate says
  March 2, 2024
  Thanks!
  Reply
Nancy says
February 28, 2024

After making a very disappointing batch of chocolate chip cookies yesterday, I was ready to give it up. This morning I searched for an easy chocolate chip cookie recipe and yours came up first. I’m glad I tried it, they are perfect. Thank you 😊
Reply
- Kate says
  February 28, 2024
  Thank you! I’m glad that you liked the cookies!
  Reply
Berta V says
February 27, 2024
Great recipe ! This will be my choc chip recipe from now on
Reply
- Kate says
  February 27, 2024
  Thanks! I’m glad to hear that!
  Reply
Holly says
February 26, 2024
I am challenged with baking and cooking my batter came out runny baked anyway and came out amazing. Tips for next time are appreciated.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 27, 2024
  Hi! Did you happen to see the tips in the post? There’s a tips section, and there are also step-by-step photos and a video that both show what the cookies should look like at each step. Also, if you have any specific questions, I’m happy to answer them!
  Reply
eve says
February 24, 2024

My new favourite. I used only 40g of white sugar (because……. i didn’t realise i had ran out……) but it was perfect!!
Reply
- Kate says
  February 26, 2024
  Thanks!
  Reply
Amira says
February 24, 2024

Quick and very easy to make also as an 11 year old, THANKS! You people should for sure make these and they have barely make you have dirty dishes.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 24, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Jennifer says
February 24, 2024

THESE COOKIES ARE SOOO VERY EASY AND GOOD.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 24, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Alice says
February 24, 2024
I LOVE these cookies! So easy and so yummy! I switch up the recipe a little bit, and do half chocolate chips and half pb chips.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 24, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Ashley says
February 23, 2024
I had a sweet tooth the other night and decided to Google “simple chocolate chip cookie recipe.” Yours was the first to come up and I’m glad it did! Thank you for sharing it with us! :)
Reply
- Kate says
  February 24, 2024
  Thanks! I’m glad you liked the cookies!
  Reply
Yami says
February 22, 2024

Made these for my 4 year old nephew. I needed something quick and easy to make for dessert that he could help make & I found this recipe. Really good! I’d make them again.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 23, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply
Lindsay says
February 22, 2024

I’m not a good baker, and my husband said these were the best cookies! They are so fluffy, and the recipe is so straight forward and easy to follow. Definitely my go-to recipe for chocolate chip cookies now.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 23, 2024
  Thank you! I’m glad that they were a hit!
  Reply
Demi says
February 22, 2024

The most delicious cookies ever!!!! I am a chocolate lover so I add an extra quarter cup of chocolate!
Reply
- Kate says
  February 23, 2024
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Bridgette Houchins says
February 21, 2024

Rarely do I leave reviews on recipes, even if I love them, but these are amazing! My 3 year old made them with me, definitely easy and delicious!
Reply
- Kate says
  February 22, 2024
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Zanayjah says
February 20, 2024

My cookies come out PERFECT every time.
Reply
- Kate says
  February 21, 2024
  Thank you!
  Reply

« Older Comments

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my chocolate chip cookies crunchy and not chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.

Always use butter.
Choose the right sugar.
Choose the right flour.
Check your flour is in date.
Choose the right kind of chocolate.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs.
Fold in the flour.

More items...

Know More ›

What is the trick to making soft and chewy cookies? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

Discover More ›

Why do my homemade chocolate chip cookies get hard? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

Explore More ›

What is the secret to a crunchy cookie? ›

A lower oven temperature will give your cookies more time to spread before they start to rise, resulting in a crispier cookie. I recommend baking your cookies for a bit longer at a lower temperature to achieve the texture you're looking for. You can also play around with the type of pan you're using.

Learn More Now ›

What is the hardest cookie to make? ›

By far the most difficult cookie to make, I think, would be these: (photo from Broma) They are French Macarons. Not to be confused with Macaroons which are tricky but not difficult. The French Macaron takes such precise measuring it's crazy. Also, you will be working with cooked and whipped egg whites…

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch

Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
Rest your dough. ...
Shorten baking time.

May 14, 2023

Tell Me More ›

What makes bakery cookies so soft? ›

The ingredients that make cookies soft do double duty: they add and maintain moisture and they add flavor that develops while the cookies bake. Butter is more than 15% water, so it plays a role in making cookies soft by adding water and fat, which contributes flavor and tenderness.

Keep Reading ›

What ingredient adds a chewy texture to cookies? ›

You can try omitting the white of each egg, which tends to dry out when baked, and replacing it with an additional yolk. Plus, egg yolks have more fat than egg whites, which helps to keep your cookies moist and chewy. Use Baking Powder You can try using baking powder instead of baking soda.

Learn More ›

What does adding cornstarch to cookies do? ›

Cornstarch does kind of incredible things to cookies. I mean not only does it give them soft centers, prevents them from spreading, and makes them somewhat thick (in a good way), but it also contributes to the chewiness factor, which, in my opinion, is the most important cookie attribute.

Why are my chocolate chip cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Q: Why are my cookies so puffy and cakey? Whipping too much air into the dough. That fluffy texture you want in a cake results from beating a lot of air into the room temperature butter and sugar, and it does the same for cookies. So don't overdo it when you're creaming together the butter and sugar.

Find Out More ›

What cookie ingredient will rise and be softer? ›

For soft cookies, use: Brown sugar, as it has a high moisture content and retains moisture better than white sugar. Also, when combined with eggs, brown sugar can prevent spreading (taller cookies tend to be softer and fluffier). Shortening instead of butter or in addition to butter.

Get More Info ›

Why are my chocolate chip cookies crunchy instead of soft? ›

Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour. Baking soda helps cookies spread outward and upward while cooking.

Show Me More ›

Why did my cookies come out crunchy? ›

Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour. Baking soda helps cookies spread outward and upward while cooking.

Why don't my cookies come out chewy? ›

Not using enough fat in the dough.

A greater fat ratio (butter, margarine, shortening, etc.) to flour will result in a more tender cookie. Start by adding just a ¼ cup additional to your recipe. Melting the butter before adding it to the sugar will also up the chew factor.

Get More Info Here ›

Why are my chocolate chip cookies flat and crispy? ›

Oven temperatures are a crucial factor in baking. If your cookies consistently come out flat, you may have selected the wrong baking temperature. If you bake cookies using too much heat, the fats in the dough begin to melt before the other ingredients can cook together and form your cookie's rise.

Know More ›