How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies From Scratch

Learn to make delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies with this simple step-by-step recipe perfect for baking with kids.

1. Gather Your Ingredients. You'll need: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter (softened), ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup packed brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 cups chocolate chips. Make sure your butter is soft enough to easily press with your finger - take it out of the fridge about an hour before baking.
2. Prepare for Baking. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside - you'll add it to the wet ingredients later.
3. Mix the Cookie Dough. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined - don't overmix. Stir in the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon or spatula.
4. Shape and Bake. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. Don't overbake - they'll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.
5. Cool and Enjoy. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from breaking apart while they're still warm. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.