Name: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 2/3 cup light brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Kid-friendly, soft chocolate chip cookies that are easy to make and create tender, chewy cookies every time! From oven to table in less than hour.

These chocolate chip cookies are our go-to recipe and have been for years. They are incredibly easy to make, and the cookies bake up soft and chewy every, single time.

Best of all, they stay that way for days. What’s the secret you ask? Well, I’m going to add a section to share some the ways we make simple soft cookies.

If you looking for a different cookie recipe then, check out our Soft Sugar Cookies, mini skillet cookie, Butter Pecan Cookies, or our Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies!

A close-up of the finished soft chocolate chip cookie recipe.

What’s the secret to soft chocolate chip cookies?

I’m not a food scientist, so I’m not going to try and accurately explain the chemistry behind the ingredients and techniques.

However, there are two secrets that I’m aware of to create super soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies every time.

Adding cornstarch is the first one. It never fails to create a tender cookie. The second one is in the technique to making cookies. Always refrigerate the cookie dough before baking.

This step allows the butter to chill and firm up. Preventing the cookies from spreading out and baking up thin and crispy.

By adding cornstarch and chilling the dough, you’re guaranteed to create a soft batch of cookies every time.

For starters, it’s a cookie recipe, and most kids I know love cookies. Also, there are no fancy steps or difficult techniques involved.

Furthermore, it teaches your children how to cook a simple dessert in less than an hour. That’s just long enough to keep their attention, without making them bored.

Finally, and most importantly, it’s an easy recipe that builds confidence and gets your children interested baking and cooking for themselves.

Three soft chocolate cookies on a small white plate.

How do you make soft chocolate chip cookies from scratch?

That’s easy, follow our recipe! All joking aside, start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. After that, grab a large cookie sheet, and line it with parchment paper.

Using your stand mixer with a paddle attachment or large bowl and a hand mixer, cream the butter, brown, and granulated sugars. Mix the ingredients on medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes until the butter is fluffy.

Now, add in the vanilla extract and the egg. Reduce the speed to low and continue mixing for another 60 to 90 seconds.

Afterward, set that mixture aside and grab a second bowl. In the clean bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. You can use a whisk or a fork to mix the dry ingredients.

Collage showing how to make chocolate chip cookie dough.

Once they’re mixed pour them into the bowl with the butter and sugar mixture. Then, mix the wet and dry ingredients together on low speed until combined, about 1-minute.

Go ahead and fold in the chocolate chips. I use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for this step so that I don’t overwork the dough.

It’s time to form the cookie dough balls. Kim uses a spoon to portion out the dough into 1.5-inch diameter balls.

Collage showing cookie dough being mixed in a bowl.

Place the balls onto the prepared cookie sheet. When the cookie sheet is full, transfer it to your fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes or longer. The dough needs to be well chilled before it’s placed in the hot oven.

Once the dough chills, remove the pan from your fridge and place it into your oven. Preferably on the center rack in the middle of the preheated oven.

Let the soft chocolate chip cookies bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges will be done, and the tops will be very lightly brown. However, the centers may look slightly underdone, but that’s okay.

The cookies will finish cooking as they cool. But, if you prefer crispy edges, you could let them cook in the oven for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

Last, remove them from oven and let them sit (untouched) for 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack or plate. That’s it, your super soft chocolate chip cookie recipe is done! Kim and I hope you enjoy the treat and wish you all the best 🙂