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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Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie 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?
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Published 8/16/16. Updated with new photos and tips 10/3/18.
Adapted from Pinch of Yum.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Bailey Brooks says
How long does the cookie dough last in the fridge?
Kate says
The cookie dough should last for up to 3 days in the fridge. It will last longer, but I think that the quality of the dough starts to diminish after that point.
Bailey says
Can I leave extra dough in the fridge and cook them later?
Kate says
You can! The dough should last (covered) in the fridge for 3 days.
April says
These are hands-down the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever made and the icing on top is that they are also the easiest! I won’t ever make another recipe, these are perfect!!
Kate says
Yay!! Thank you so much!!
Daisy says
im doing this for a project due today, what are the supplies you need for this?
Kate says
Hi! I’m not sure to which supplies you’re referring. All of the food you need is listed in the ingredients and any supplies will be listed in the instructions. Is that what you meant?
James says
I’ve made them twice already! They were awesome! Thank you!
Kate says
Thank you so much!!
/kk says
I used to love baking these gorgeous cookies but now your page won’t change recipe to metric even though the option is there and can’t bake them anymore :( :(
Kate says
Hi! It’s working for me, so I’m not sure where the issue is coming from. Here are the ingredient weights so that you can make the cookies. =)
113 g butter
99 g granulated sugar
54 g brown sugar (packed)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
210 g all-purpose flour¹
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt2
170 g semisweet chocolate chips
Frankie says
That was really kind and thoughtful of you to post the measurements. I will definitely be checking you site often.
Kate says
Thank you!
AB says
Having same issue! Thanks for posting the metric version!
Kate says
Sorry about that! I can’t replicate the issue, and it appears to be fixed on my end.
Amy says
Are these chewy?
Kate says
The cookies are mostly soft with kind of chewy edges.
Meena says
Amazing cookies! I used almond flour instead of white and they were yummy !! Thank you for a keeper recipe!
Kate says
I’m so glad that they worked out well! Thanks for commenting!
Xixi says
Can you use honey instead of white sugar?
Kate says
Unfortunately, honey and white sugar aren’t going to be equal substitutes. You may be able to use honey, but it will require other adjustments to the recipe.
Charle says
This recipe is sooo fast, easy and delicious. I definitely recommend!!!!!
Kate says
Thank you!! I’m glad you liked the cookies! =)
Jess says
If you love soft chocolate chip cookies with chocolate in every bite, this is your recipe. I have made these cookies a few times now and love it every time!! I love that it is so simple. No chill time required.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that you like the cookies!
Nashwa R. says
Easy, simple and delicious! Thank you ?.. my little 5 years old added some sprinkles on few… it was fun!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad that your family liked them!
Regine Lopez says
Oh my goodness these are absolutely incredibly delicious!! Just made a batch and oh my goodness, they’re so fluffy and moist!! I already posted it up on Instagram and tagged you and followed you!! Thank you so much for this incredible recipe! ??????????????????
Kate says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you liked them!! =)
LaWanda says
So easy and my cookie came out picture perfect!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that your cookies turned out well!
Jennifer says
Tried this recipe today and i say yum! I made a slightly bigger cookie so it took 10-12 minutes. It was too soft at 9 min. It taste really good!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked the cookies!
Thorsten says
Ive been struggling with getting my cookies just right for a minute…This recipe was exactly what I was looking for.. 9 minutes in the oven and they were perfect. Thanks!!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad it worked out well for you!
N says
Best recipe. You said the dough should be sticky but not too much. Some days it’s too sticky. What have I done wrong
And what can I do to save my soul
If it’s a big batch
Kate says
Thank you! Luckily, that’s an easy fix! If the dough feels too sticky, just add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s the right consistency. Hope that helps!
Neha says
It won’t Affect anything else
Will I have to add mroe baking soda or sugar
Kate says
If the dough is just a little sticky, a couple more tablespoons of flour should do the trick, and you shouldn’t need to add any extra sugar or baking soda.
Rolinda says
Made these last night and they were delish! I made them in A muffin Baking tin to have more uniform cookies. They were a big hit. ♥️
Kate says
Thanks! I’m glad they were a hit! =)
Mami says
Made these from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. Great recipe if you are expecting guests and need to whip up something quick. Simple and yummy. Thank you!
Kate says
You’re so welcome! Glad you liked the cookies!
Jessica says
Made these tonight! I added in some peanut butter chips and they were delicious! Sooo easy and so good!!!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked the cookies! =)