World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to share this World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe with you! Seriously, this is not just another cookie recipe—it’s the one that’s earned a permanent spot in my baking rotation because it delivers on every promise: perfectly chewy, just a little crispy on the edges, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. I remember the first time I made these; my family went crazy over them, and I knew I’d stumbled on something special.

What makes this World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe stand out is how forgiving it is, yet it always turns out beautifully. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in, impressing guests, or just need that perfect cookie fix, this recipe works wonderfully. You’ll love how simple the ingredients are and how the technique keeps the cookies tender without being dense. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be baking them again and again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe are pretty straightforward, but that’s part of why it works so well. They blend together perfectly to create a luscious dough that bakes into cookies you’ll savor more than one of.

• Salted Butter: Using salted butter here adds just the right balance of savory to sweet, but you can swap for unsalted and add a bit more salt if you prefer.
• Light Brown Sugar: This adds moisture and that delicious caramel flavor that makes the cookies chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps give those edges a gentle crispness, balancing out the softness inside.
• Milk: Just a little to keep things tender and add moisture without weight.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract is the magic touch for rich flavor.
• Egg: Binds everything together while adding to the cookie’s chewy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough. Make sure it’s measured properly to avoid dense cookies.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the other flavors—don’t skip it!
• Baking Soda: Leavens just enough so your cookies rise and aren’t flat.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: The star of the show. I use milk chocolate for that creamy, melty bite every time.
• Chopped Walnuts (optional): Adds a lovely crunch and a little nuttiness if you’re a fan.

Variations

I love how this World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe is such a great base for playing around! I’ve tweaked it with all sorts of mix-ins over time, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with a little creativity here.

• Use dark chocolate chips: For a richer, slightly bitter twist that balances the sweetness beautifully—I swap these in when I want a more sophisticated cookie.
• Omit nuts: If you have nut allergies or prefer a smoother texture, just skip the walnuts—they’re completely optional and still delicious.
• Try adding dried fruit: Adding a handful of dried cherries or cranberries can add tart pops of flavor that surprise and delight.
• Go gluten-free: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend—I’ve found that measuring carefully and chilling the dough a bit longer helps keeps them chewy.

How to Make World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Cream Your Butter and Sugars to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Then, combine the salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. I usually use a stand mixer, but if you don’t have one, a hand mixer or even good old-fashioned elbow grease like Mrs. Patti’s method works just fine. The key is to mix until the mixture is creamy and smooth—but don’t overmix, or you risk tough cookies.

Step 2: Add in the Liquid Goodness

Next, stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and egg until everything is fully incorporated. This step doesn’t take long—just mix enough so you don’t see any streaks. I learned the hard way that overmixing here can lead to tougher cookies, so gentle is best.

Step 3: Carefully Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Here’s the trickiest part: sift together your flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Then add the flour mixture in gradually, about a cup at a time. Don’t bother fully mixing each cup before adding the next—it will minimize overmixing. Once all the flour is added, give the dough a gentle mix just to combine everything. This technique keeps your cookies tender and not dense, which was a game changer for me.

Step 4: Chocolate Chips and Walnuts—The Best Part

By hand, fold in your milk chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. I find doing this by hand helps keep those chunks intact and evenly spread without overworking the dough. If your dough feels sticky or hard to handle, sprinkle in a little extra flour until it’s manageable.

Step 5: Shape and Bake Like a Pro

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls and roll them gently in your hands. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet—you don’t need to grease because the butter in the dough prevents sticking. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes; don’t wait for them to look completely done. The cookies will lose their shiny surface and look just set—that’s your cue. Remember, if you live at higher altitude, you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.

Step 6: Patience Is Key—Cool Before Moving

This is the hardest part for me—I’m usually so eager to dig in! But letting the cookies cool on the sheet for 10 minutes lets them finish setting without falling apart. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, the wait is totally worth it.

How to Serve World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies, but sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking adds an irresistible savory contrast to the sweet chocolate. If I’m feeling fancy, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar works nicely too.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For special occasions, I’ve served them alongside vanilla ice cream for a simple yet decadent dessert everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

When I want to impress guests, I like to stack these cookies on a pretty cake stand, alternating layers with parchment paper. For parties, I once placed them in little paper bags tied with twine—instant charm and so cute as party favors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay soft and delicious for about 3 to 4 days—though they rarely last that long at my house!

Freezing

This World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe freezes really well. I usually freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. You can also freeze unbaked cookie dough balls—just pull them out and bake straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I’m genuinely thrilled to have shared the World’s Greatest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe with you because it’s a little joy in cookie form. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, the way these cookies come together so simply yet taste so indulgent makes me smile every time. Try this recipe for your next batch—you’ll be making memories and warm smiles around your kitchen just like I did. Happy baking, friend!

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