How to Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most popular and beloved desserts in the world. They are simple, delicious, and easy to make at home. However, not all chocolate chip cookies are created equal. Some are too thin, too crispy, too cakey, or too bland. How do you make the perfect chocolate chip cookies that are soft, chewy, and full of chocolate flavor? In this blog post, I will share with you my tips and tricks for making the best chocolate chip cookies from scratch. You will need the following ingredients: - 3/4 cup (170g) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 3/4 cup (150g) of packed light brown sugar - 1/4 cup (50g) of granulated sugar - 1 large egg, at room temperature - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract - 2 cups (250g) of all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons of cornstarch - 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon of salt - 1 and 1/4 cups (225g) of semi-sweet chocolate chips ## Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars together The first step is to cream the butter and sugars together in a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. This process aerates the butter and dissolves the sugar, creating a light and fluffy texture. You want to beat the butter and sugars on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. ## Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla extract The next step is to add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. The egg provides structure and richness to the cookies, while the vanilla adds flavor. You want to beat the egg and vanilla on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. ## Step 3: Whisk the dry ingredients together The third step is to whisk the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. You will need the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. The flour is the main ingredient that forms the structure of the cookies, while the cornstarch is the secret ingredient that makes them extra soft and chewy. The baking soda is the leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread, while the salt enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness. You want to whisk the dry ingredients until well combined and no lumps remain. ## Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients The fourth step is to add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. You want to use a wooden spoon or a rubber

spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. The dough will be thick and sticky, but that's normal. ## Step 5: Stir in the chocolate chips The fifth step is to stir in the chocolate chips to the cookie dough. You can use any kind of chocolate chips you like, such as semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white. You can also use chocolate chunks, chopped chocolate bars, or M&M's for more variety. You want to stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough. ## Step 6: Chill the cookie dough The sixth step is to chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Chilling the cookie dough is very important, as it allows the flavors to develop, the butter to solidify, and the dough to firm up. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much and becoming thin and crispy. Chilling the cookie dough also makes it easier to scoop and shape. ## Step 7: Preheat the oven and line the baking sheets The seventh step is to preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper or silicone baking mats prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and ensure even browning. ## Step 8: Scoop and bake the cookies The eighth and final step is to scoop and bake the cookies. You want to use a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop out balls of cookie dough, about 1.5 tablespoons each. You want to place the cookie dough balls about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, as they will spread while baking. You can also press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie dough ball for a more attractive appearance. You want to bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft. The cookies will look slightly underbaked, but that's okay. They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the baking sheets. ## Enjoy your perfect chocolate chip cookies! Once the cookies are done baking, you want to let them cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. You can enjoy your perfect chocolate chip cookies warm or at room temperature, or store them in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies or the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months, and bake or reheat them whenever you crave a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies.