Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial for achieving perfectly baked cookies. Make sure your oven is fully heated before placing the cookies in.

2. 2

   Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. The air incorporated during this step will help create a chewy texture.

3. 3

   Add Eggs and Vanilla: Next, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This will enhance the flavor and contribute to the overall richness of the cookies.

4. 4

   Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Mixing these dry ingredients separately ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed in the dough.

5. 5

   Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies. The dough should be slightly sticky.

6. 6

   Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough. This step is essential for that delicious chocolatey goodness in every bite.

7. 7

   Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie for spreading. You can slightly flatten the tops if desired, but they will spread during baking.

8. 8

   Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked; they will set as they cool.

9. 9

   Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your soft and chewy cookies with a glass of milk!