Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

Updated on |By Kate|2,854 Comments

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Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a one bowl chocolate chip cookie recipe that makes soft chocolate chip cookies in less than 20 minutes- no mixer necessary, no chilling needed.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (1)

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.

This popular recipe has been shared over 100,000 times and has thousands of glowing reviews. Give it a try, and it may just be your new go-to easy chocolate chip cookie recipe!

“This was seriously the easiest and most delicious cookie recipe I’ve ever tried! and I’ve tried a lot!!!” – Treasure via Pinterest

Loved this too? Add your review

What makes this the easiest chocolate chip cookie recipe?

This recipe

  • uses just a few basic ingredients like flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  • is so fast and so easy that you can make it in less than 20 minutes – no mixer needed, no chilling required.
  • is a one-bowl recipe so both mixing and cleanup are easier.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

  • 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.
    • I’ve also swapped the amounts of brown sugar and granulated sugar and used 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. The cookies are slightly chewier this way.
  • 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 that the recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of kosher 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.

How to make easy chocolate chip cookies

This is a seriously simple recipe with just a few steps. Here are step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2)

Step 1: 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.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (3)

Step 2: Once the butter has melted, whisk in the sugars until well-combined.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (4)

Step 3: Mix in the vanilla extract and the egg.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (5)

Step 4: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in just until combined. You don’t want to overmix the dough.

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Step 5: Stir in the chocolate chips, and then scoop the dough. Place about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (7)

Step 6: 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.

Recipe Tips!

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!

  • Mixing: I recommend mixing the cookie dough by hand to avoid overmixing the dough. However, you can mix the dough using an electric mixer if you prefer.
  • 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.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookie dough or freeze the cookie dough.
    • Cookies: To freeze the cookies, bake them as-directed, and let them cool to room temperature on a wire cooling rack. Once the cookies have cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month.
    • Cookie dough: To freeze the cookie dough, scoop up the cooking dough and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Flash freeze until the dough is frozen through. Once the scoops are frozen through, place the frozen scoops in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month.
Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (9)

How to make 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.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (10)

Storage

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. The cookies are best eaten within 3 days.

More chocolate chip cookie recipes!

  • Easy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Peanut Butter 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!

You cansubscribeto receive my latest recipe newsletters orfollow meonFacebook,InstagramandPinterestfor even more delicious food.

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (15)

Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (16)

4.97 from 1616 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.

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 flour properly measured
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 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

  • Flour: 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.
  • Salt: Or 1/4 teaspoon table salt.
  • Baking: 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

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 57mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

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

Originally published 8/16/16. 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

  1. Megan says

    Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (17)
    Great cookies!! We love them!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you!

      Reply

  2. Nina says

    Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (18)
    Had a late night sugar craving and made these on a whim. I didn’t even have all of the ingredients so subbed out with what was on hand. Hands down my new fave go to. Ashamed how often I’ve made this recipe but they are my new fave!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you! I’m glad that you liked the cookies!

      Reply

  3. Amanda says

    Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (19)
    The best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have ever made. I’ve made a lot of them and this recipe is the one I’m sticking to! My family loves them and so do I.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

  4. Angela says

    I used milk chocolate chips and added skor bits. Omg!!! Sooo yummy
    I also left out the salt.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you!

      Reply

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Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

What is the secret to making good cookies? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  1. Always use butter.
  2. Choose the right sugar.
  3. Choose the right flour.
  4. Check your flour is in date.
  5. Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  6. Cream the butter and sugar.
  7. Beat in the eggs.
  8. Fold in the flour.

What makes cookies chewy and not hard? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

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

How to Make Soft Cookies
  1. Cream your butter and sugar well.
  2. Choose a low-protein flour.
  3. Don't overmix your dough.
  4. Chill your dough.
  5. Use a higher ratio of white to brown sugar.
  6. Don't chill your dough.
  7. Smash your dough and bang the pan.
Feb 19, 2021

What are 4 tips to keep in mind while making cookies? ›

Tips for Baking Better Cookies
  1. Bake Better Cookies. ...
  2. Soften Your Butter. ...
  3. Creaming Butter. ...
  4. Measure Your Flour Correctly. ...
  5. Line Your Pans With Parchment Paper. ...
  6. Add Eggs One at a Time. ...
  7. Add Flour or Dry Ingredients in Batches. ...
  8. Fold in Chocolate Chips by Hand.

What does brown sugar do in cookies? ›

Brown sugar

Brown sugar is also hygroscopic (more so than granulated sugar) and will therefore also attract and absorb the liquid in the dough. The difference is in the molasses that makes brown sugar brown: It adds moisture and slight acidity, resulting in a moist and chewy texture.

Why do my homemade cookies get so 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.

What are three factors that contribute to a chewy cookie? ›

There are a few things you can try to get soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies:
  • Use a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar. ...
  • Use more egg yolks and less egg whites. ...
  • Add a bit of cornstarch to the dough. ...
  • Make sure you're using the right type of flour. ...
  • Don't over-bake the cookies.
May 17, 2018

Should you chill cookie dough before baking? ›

Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.

What happens if you put too much butter in chocolate chip cookies? ›

Too much butter makes cookies turn out just as you'd expect: very buttery. This batch of cookies was cakey in the middle, but also airy throughout, with crispy edges.

What happens if you use softened butter instead of melted in cookies? ›

Melted butter would make it chewy and spread out, while softened butter would make it cakey.

What is the trick to keep baked goods like cookies soft? ›

This simplest kitchen hack you'll ever love!

If you bake too many cookies (as if there is such a thing!) and are concerned about them going stale, just add a slice of white bread to the storage container to keep them from hardening.

What makes a cookie more soft? ›

Soft cookies have a water concentration of 6% or higher – moisture being the variable in texture. To make cookies crispy, add less liquid or bake it in the oven for longer to dry out the dough.

How do you make cookies soft and chewy vs hard and crisp? ›

Butter contributes milk solids and water to a cookie, both of which soften it. Brown sugar contributes molasses – again, a softener. Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies.

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