Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are one of those classic desserts everyone comes back to. There’s something about a warm cookie with melted chocolate chips and a buttery center that never gets old. These soft chocolate chip cookies bake up thick, chewy, and loaded with chocolate in every bite. If you’re looking for an easy chocolate chip cookie recipe that delivers bakery-style cookies with crisp edges and a soft middle, this is the one you’ll want to make again and again.

Why You’ll Love These Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Perfectly soft and chewy with slightly crisp edges and a tender center
• Loaded with chocolate chips in every bite
• Simple pantry ingredients you likely already have at home
• Easy to make with no complicated steps
• Great for freezing so you can bake cookies anytime
• Classic bakery-style cookies that come out thick, soft, and irresistible

Ingredients For Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• butter
• brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• egg
• vanilla extract
• flour
• arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• baking soda
• semi-sweet chocolate chips
• milk chocolate chips
• bittersweet chocolate chips
• chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

How To Make Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
• Stir in the flour, arrowroot powder, and baking soda. Mix just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
• Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts if using.
• Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps develop flavor and keeps the cookies thick.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and place evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look soft.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Chill the dough for at least an hour. This improves both flavor and texture.
• Do not overmix once the flour is added or the cookies may become dense.
• Use a cookie scoop so the cookies bake evenly.
• Pull them slightly early for soft, chewy centers.
• Use a mix of chocolate chips for the best flavor balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to chill cookie dough?

Chilling cookie dough allows the flour to hydrate and the flavors to develop. It also helps prevent cookies from spreading too much while baking.

How do I keep chocolate chip cookies soft?

Store cookies in an airtight container and add a slice of bread. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and stay soft longer.

Can I freeze chocolate chip cookie dough?

Yes. Scoop the dough into portions and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1.1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes. Replace the butter with a plant-based butter substitute and use dairy-free chocolate chips.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

The dough may have been too warm or the butter too soft. Chilling the dough before baking helps keep cookies thick.