This is the best chocolate chip cookies recipe ever — and we’re not exaggerating!
No chilling, no complicated steps, and no strange ingredients — just classic, gooey, golden perfection every single time. These cookies are soft in the center, slightly crisp around the edges, and loaded with melty chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts for that perfect bite.
Whether you’re baking for a crowd, your kids, or just yourself (we won’t judge 😉), this easy, foolproof recipe is about to become your forever favorite.
🧈 Ingredients You’ll Need
(Makes about 24 cookies)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons hot water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional but highly recommended!)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or use ungreased pans.
Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. This step gives your cookies that perfect texture!
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Activate the Baking Soda
In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 2 teaspoons of hot water. Add this mixture to your dough, along with the salt. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients & Mix-Ins
Gradually mix in the flour, then fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. The dough should be thick, soft, and irresistible — try not to eat it all before baking!
Step 6: Bake
Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft — that’s the secret to chewy cookies!
Step 7: Cool & Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Grab a glass of cold milk, and enjoy the best homemade chocolate chip cookies you’ll ever taste!
💡 Tips for Perfect Cookies
🍫 Use room temperature butter — it helps the sugars cream properly for that dreamy texture.
🥣 Don’t overmix once you add the flour — it can make cookies dense.
⏱️ Underbake slightly for chewy centers; they’ll firm up as they cool.
🌰 Customize your mix-ins: Try pecans, white chocolate chips, or caramel bits!
❄️ Freeze the dough: Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake straight from frozen — just add 1–2 minutes.
🍪 Why This Recipe Works
This recipe nails the perfect texture trifecta — crispy edges, gooey centers, and that buttery, caramelized flavor that only comes from the perfect ratio of brown and white sugar.
The baking soda dissolved in hot water helps the cookies rise evenly, while the combination of chocolate and walnuts adds both richness and crunch.
No chilling means instant gratification — and you’ll still get bakery-quality results every time!
🧁 Variations to Try
- Sea Salt Lovers: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty bite.
- Double Chocolate: Swap ½ cup of flour for cocoa powder and use white chocolate chips.
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip: Add 1 cup of rolled oats to the dough for a hearty twist.
🥛 Storing & Freezing
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months, or freeze dough balls to bake later.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 10 seconds for that “fresh from the oven” feel.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, your search ends here. These cookies are soft, chewy, buttery, and packed with flavor — everything a chocolate chip cookie should be.
So grab your mixing bowl, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake the cookies that everyone will be begging you for the recipe to.
