Baking big, soft chocolate chip cookies is an absolute delight! These cookies are not only delicious but also perfect for sharing with friends and family. Follow these detailed steps and enjoy the process of creating a batch that will make your kitchen smell heavenly.
### Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
### Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Spatula
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### **1. Preheat the Oven**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C). This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly.
#### **2. Cream the Butter and Sugars**
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Adding the vanilla extract at this stage will enhance the flavor of the cookies.
#### **3. Beat in the Eggs**
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This step helps to bind the ingredients together and ensures a smooth cookie texture.
#### **4. Mix Dry Ingredients**
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter-sugar-egg mixture, stirring until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies, so be gentle at this stage.
#### **5. Fold in Chocolate Chips**
Gently fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough for an appealing mix of dark and white chocolate chips.
#### **6. Prepare the Cookie Sheet**
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper if desired, or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. This step is optional but helps ensure easy cleanup.
#### **7. Shape the Cookies**
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Flatter cookies often yield softer results than taller ones.
#### **8. Bake the Cookies**
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, but the center should still appear slightly underdone; this is intentional to ensure a soft texture when cooled.
#### **9. Cool and Enjoy**
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are best served fresh from the oven, making it hard to resist!
### Tips:
- For extra flavor, consider using chocolate chunks instead of chips.
- Add a pinch of sea salt for a subtle contrast in flavors.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.
By following these steps, you'll be able to create big, soft chocolate chip cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!