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Steps
### How to Make Award-Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Creating delicious and tender chocolate chip cookies is easier than you might think! Follow these detailed steps to craft a batch that will surely win over both your family and friends. This recipe focuses on achieving the perfect blend of softness and rich, gooey chocolate chips.
#### Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
#### Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Baking sheet
- Cookie scoop or spoon
### Step-by-Step Guide
#### 1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly.
#### 2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
#### 3. Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer or a whisk, cream the softened butter with the white sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
#### 4. Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add the egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat well to combine. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
#### 5. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients from step 2 into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this helps maintain the cookie's soft texture.
#### 6. Fold in Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough. Make sure they are well distributed but avoid over-mixing to preserve their melt-in-your-mouth quality.
#### 7. Chill the Dough (Optional)
Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or overnight. This step is optional but highly recommended as it allows the cookies to set and ensures they don’t spread too much during baking, resulting in perfectly round cookies.
#### 8. Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft and chewy.
#### 9. Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
### Tips for Success
- **Use Room Temperature Butter:** This ensures that your mixture blends smoothly.
- **Don’t Overbake:** Soft chocolate chip cookies should be slightly underdone when removed from the oven. They continue cooking as they cool.
- **Experiment with Add-Ins:** Try adding a pinch of salt or a dash of cinnamon to enhance flavors.
By following these detailed steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting award-winning soft chocolate chip cookies that everyone will enjoy! Perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to casual snacking.