If you have a sweet tooth and an appreciation for comforting classics, this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite. Imagine bite-sized pillows of soft sugar cookie dough, studded with mini semisweet chocolate chips that gently melt into every chewy corner—these cookies are the perfect harmony of sweet, buttery, and chocolaty all at once. Whether you’re baking for a festive occasion or just craving a delightful treat, this recipe is incredibly approachable yet delivers bakery-quality results every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe is how it relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a magical treat. Each ingredient has its role: the flour provides structure, baking soda and powder ensure the perfect rise, butter adds richness, and chocolate chips sprinkle pockets of joy throughout.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for a tender yet sturdy cookie.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies spread and rise just right.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Adds a touch of extra lift ensuring a light texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Brings rich creaminess and melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens perfectly while adding just a hint of crunch when rolled.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses warm, aromatic depth.
- 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate that add irresistible flavor.
- Extra sugar for rolling: Ensures a subtly crunchy exterior that catches the eye.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Surface
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This temperature strikes the perfect balance to bake cookies that are tender yet hold their shape. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combining these dry ingredients upfront helps distribute the leavening agents evenly, ensuring your cookies bake uniformly fluffy and tender.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Now, in a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it introduces air into the dough, contributing to a soft and tender cookie texture you’ll love.
Step 4: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. These add moisture and a warm aroma that makes these cookies feel like a hug in dessert form.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as you see a soft dough form—this keeps them tender and delicate.
Step 6: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips to ensure every cookie will have delightful pockets of melty chocolate without overpowering the sugar cookie base.
Step 7: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Then, roll each dough ball lightly in extra granulated sugar. This step gives the cookies a beautiful sparkly finish and a slight crunch on the outside.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place the sugar-coated dough balls at least 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden and the centers look set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are wonderful on their own, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking can elevate the sweetness and add a delicious contrast. Alternatively, drizzle a little melted white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a cup of rich hot cocoa, or even your morning coffee. Their balanced sweetness and comforting texture pair perfectly with both warm and cold beverages.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your batch into a charming gift by stacking a few cookies tied with a ribbon or placing them in a decorative tin lined with parchment. For parties, make mini sandwich cookies by spreading a thin layer of chocolate ganache or buttercream between two cookies—an instant crowd-pleaser that makes your Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe truly shine.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain their soft texture by absorbing excess moisture.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, these cookie dough balls freeze beautifully. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy warm, melty chocolate chip sugar cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave for about 10 seconds. This quick step revives their fresh-baked charm perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Regular chocolate chips work just fine and will give you bigger pockets of chocolate. Mini chips simply distribute more evenly for small bites of chocolate in every mouthful.
Why do the cookies sometimes spread too much while baking?
If your cookies are spreading excessively, it could be because your butter is too soft or the dough is too warm. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain shape and thickness.
Can I substitute the butter for margarine or oil?
Butter is preferred for flavor and texture in this recipe, but if you must, margarine can work. Oil is not recommended as it will change the cookie’s structure and chewiness.
How do I make the cookies crispier?
Bake the cookies for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the edges turn a deeper golden brown. You can also reduce the sugar slightly or chill the dough less to achieve a firmer texture.
Can I use this dough to make other types of cookies?
Yes! This dough is versatile. You can swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate, nuts, or even cinnamon sugar to create your own cookie variations.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe a try because it’s one of those recipes that brings pure joy to the kitchen. Its simplicity paired with that irresistible soft texture and chocolatey goodness means these cookies always impress. Once you bake a batch, you’ll have a new favorite cookie to share and savor with friends and family.
Print
Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully soft and flavorful Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies, perfect for any occasion or holiday treat. These easy-to-make cookies combine the sweetness of classic sugar cookies with mini semisweet chocolate chips for a satisfyingly rich bite. Rolled in sugar for a slight crunch, they offer a balanced texture with a hint of vanilla aroma and buttery richness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins and Coating
- 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling the dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined. This evenly distributes the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture until fully combined, ensuring the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding gently until a soft dough forms with no visible streaks of flour remaining.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the mini semisweet chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the dough without overmixing.
- Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Lightly roll each ball in granulated sugar to create a subtly crisp exterior once baked.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Notes
- For crispier cookies, extend the baking time by 1 to 2 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes prior to baking will result in thicker, less spread-out cookies.
- You can substitute mini semisweet chocolate chips with regular-sized chips or use white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
