Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Need a treat?
I know we just talked about skinny jeans. But come on…it’s Friday!
Come dip in this bowl. And let’s make cookies!
There are a bazillion chocolate chip cookie recipes out there. I’m not trying to replace your grandma’s old tried and true, live-or-die, this-is-the-only-way-to-do-it recipe.
Well.
Maybe I am?
I’m just saying that is the recipe we’ve used in our family for years and it never fails.
Soft, buttery, tons ‘o chips, and guess what….you don’t have to cook them all at once! The recipe makes a ton of cookies, so I freeze 3/4 of the dough into loaves and then I’m ready for cookies any day of the week. It’s kind of dangerous.
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Makes 5-6 dozen
Or…tons of dough to freeze for later enjoyment

1 Cup Vegetable Shortening
1 Cup Butter (don’t use margarine)
1 1/2 cups White Sugar
1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp Vanilla

5 1/4 to 5 1/2 cups Flour *
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp Salt

2 bags choc chips (12 oz bags) – 1 semi-sweet, 1 milk chocolate

There are three key points in this recipe.
1. Use shortening and butter. I know some of you are going to replace the shortening with butter, and I won’t hold it against you. But the shortening is what gives the cookie a slight crispness around the edges while still feeling soft inside.

So, start by mixing the shortening and butter with white and brown sugar. Add the three eggs and vanilla and here’s the second key point….

2. Mix the buttery/egg mixture for a full THREE minutes. The time is important for the eggs and butter to become fully whipped and to develop new chemistry. You’ll watch the buttery mix go from gushy liquid to beautiful cream (as shown in the right photo):
In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, and salt). Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix. Then add the other 1/2 and mix.
And finally….

3. Use a lot of good chocolate chips and mix semi-sweet with milk chips.
Some recipes call for one bag of chocolate chips. This recipe is large so we’re using 2 bags. But sometimes I throw in 2 1/2!
Guittard brand is my favorite. I use a mixture of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips but sometimes I throw in their extra dark chips too.
Mix it all up and you have this:
Go ahead and sample a few balls.
Then use a small cookie scoop to make 15 uniform balls on an ungreased cookie sheet (do NOT use a non-stick pan–the cookies won’t bake as evenly)
Also, I find that smaller cookies are better than large ones because then you can eat 3 instead of just one! It’s all psychological.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes or just until the cookies are slightly golden on top. If you wait till the cookies are entirely golden on the outside, it’s too late. They’ll be overcooked. You want them to be soft inside. Allow them to cool for a few minutes and transfer to a cooking rack, though they may not make it that far.
Making Cookie Dough Loaves:
Now if you’re making cookies for a big party, go ahead and keeping scooping/baking all the dough. But cookies are only good for a day or two (in my opinion), so why bake the whole batch and have them go to waste? If you freeze the dough, you can have fresh cookies any time you want! 

* Divide the dough up into 3 or 4 piles on wax paper sheets.
* Use the paper and your hands to shape each pile into a loaf.
* Roll them up inside of the wax paper.
Then wrap each loaf with plastic wrap (to avoid freezer burn or freezer smells). Or….simply place them all in a ziplock bag together. Then put them in the freezer!
When you’re ready to bake a few cookies, take out a cookie loaf. Microwave it for about 20 seconds. Pull off a bit of dough and bake them just as we did above for 8-9 minutes.
Yum YUM.
Eat em till they’re gone!
Oh wait, there’s one left for you.
Enjoy!

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  1. These cookies are the BEST. I’ve made them only a couple of times (making my third batch now) and they get so many compliments. Thanks, Dana!
    PS the messy part is true, but that means they are good!!

  2. YUM! Love this recipe! I’ve made it a few times and it’s sooo big. I have trouble finding bowls big enough to mix in! I got a Kitchenaid Mixer for Christmas, but clearly yours is bigger yet 🙂 This time my cookies are not as chewy and flat… prob because I used the full 6 cups of flour. I prefer them to flatten a bit more.

  3. 3) Valerie

    Dana,
    Did you use regular shortening, or the butter flavor kind? In the picture it looks kind of yellow? I am going to try this with regular because that is what I have, I was just wondering if that would make a difference in the flavor if the cookie. Thanks for sharing!

  4. 4) Nikki

    Just made all five dozen….they taste amazing! Very happy! 6 cups flour was too much, we just added milk and mmmmmm! Perfect. Thank you for sharing. Have 3 bags in the freezer!

  5. I have been trying for years to make a fluffy chocolate chip cookie. Mine have always spread out and gotten way too crispy. I have the first batch in the oven. So far they are still puffy. My husband will be so excited to try one of these. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.

  6. 6) Julie

    My Grandma Jeanie has always made the best chocolate chip cookies in the whole wide world….well…..not anymore!!!! These are the best cookies ever! Try changing up the flavors of chips, I used white, semi sweet and dark chocolate. They were wonderful! Next time I am going to ad MnM’s and white chocolate! Thank you for posting and my sister for sharing!

  7. 7) Annie

    Just made 95 cookies! WOW. What a big hit at home! Now my girls was these for themselves and not their teachers!
    Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe Dana… though my waist line might think otherwise….

  8. 8) Lis

    These look so very good. I only have non-stick cookie sheets, but am willing to purchase a new one if it will help my baked goods cook more evenly.

    What type of material do you recommend for a cookie sheet, please? And, what types of places would carry said cookie sheets? (Grocery store? Specialty shop?)

    Thanks so much for your time, and yet another wonderful tutorial! –Lis

    • 9) Dana

      I really like Jelly roll pans (they’re cookie sheets with a lip on all 4 sides), I think they’re made of aluminum? (though I’m not entirely sure). You can buy them at a restaurant supply store…like Restaurant Depot, Smart and Final, places like that.
      Just tell them you’re looking for Jelly Roll pans and they’ll know what you’re talking about.
      I haven’t seen them at normal grocery or Target type stores.

      • 10) Lis

        Thank you!

        • 11) Kathy

          You can get them at Williams Sonoma too.

  9. Hi Dana! I just made your chocolate chip cookie recipe but my dough is kinda dry. My dough doesn’t look like your dough in the picture. I added all the ingredients. I used the butter flavored shortening and I accidentally added an extra egg but I wouldn’t think that would make them more dry. What did I do wrong? 🙁

    • 13) jenifer n

      I only used 5 3/4 flour but the dough was dry. any suggestions on how to fix this so I don’t have to throw out the cookie dough? Thanks

  10. 14) Denise

    Dana,
    I have been searching for chocolate chip cookie recipe that the cookies stay soft, but not under or over cooked. These are the BEST COOKIES I HAVE EVER MADE!!! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!!!

  11. 15) Katrena

    I have been on the hunt for a chocolate chip cookie that didn’t go flat but wasn’t all shortening. This is it, jackpot! I made this for the first time tonight and I’m in love. I had a friend and her family stop by unexpectdly tonight when the first batch went into the oven. She works at a bakery and I told her I was trying a new recipe. She tried them and thought they were great along with the rest of her family members and mine. Needless to say the frist batch disappeared. Thanks so much! I’m ditching the old recipe.

  12. I’ve made this cookies today with my sister. IT was the best! I love how crunchy on the outside and soft on it inside. Tasted like famous amos. Even my dad can’t stop munching on it! Thank you for sharing! I will definitely made other recipes from you ! 🙂

  13. 17) Roxanne

    BEST chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had! I never seem to really love choc chip recipes, but this one is OUTSTANDING! Thank you!

  14. 18) Karen

    Did you use unsalted butter because I see that you have salt listed. And light or dark brown sugar? I want up make them tonight!

  15. Thank you Dana!! The first time i made them, i put too much flour and they were still good. My son and i made them xmas eve and i only had 2 cups of flour so i ground oats into oat flour and used the chocolate chips you reccommended… The best cookies i have ever had! Im making it that way every time!! I have been trying to perfect my cookie recipe and thanks to you i have! Cant wait to try it with mini peanut butter cups! Thank you!

  16. These are some of the BEST cookies I have ever made in all my years of baking. And my family loves chocolate chip cookies!!!

  17. 21) Brenda Harrell

    I’ve been looking for a recipe just like this. I can’t wait to make these cookies.
    Yummy!

  18. I followed the recipe and you are right – they turned out great! I am going to mix the chocolate chips next time. So excited to make these for teacher appreciation week! Jean

  19. Just made these (well, actually, some are still in the oven) and they’re absolutely amazing! I’m really happily surprised, as I’d been baking the same cookie recipe for years and didn’t think I could find anything as good, but I did! I separated the batter in 2/3 – 1/3 to have a small batch or white chocolate and cranberries. The only thing I’d like to add is honey, because I think it adds a little something to cookies in general. Will try and work out the proportions to make this work. –Gaëlle

  20. 24) Brooke Hill

    I made these yesterday… oh man it makes a ton!! I had to freeze 4 loaves for later! I was hesitante to use shortening as I hate how greast ot is, but I thought I would try it once, and I can understand why you say to do it that way. They are soft in the middle with a crunch on the edges, may fav! Will be making these again

    • 25) Ruth

      Shortening is something I’ve always balked at, too. However, my cookies are never soft and rounded so I guess I’ll have to breakdown and buy some shortening.

  21. 26) Shantel

    Just wanted to let you know that this is now my favorite cookie recipe ever. I’ve made it a dozen times – and am finally pulling the recipe off your website (for fear that I’ll lose the link and it will be gone forever!) I’ve made it with chocolate chips, and chocolate/butterscotch chips. It’s amazing. I love that it makes so many, and I love freezing the cookie dough so that I can make a smaller batch anytime I want.

    Just wanted to leave a little blog love! Thank you for sharing!

  22. 27) Billy F.

    Froze the extra and when I wanted a few more just pulled the dough roll out and sliced a few cookies off the frozen roll with a sharp knife, put the roll back in the ziploc baggie and freezer. Quick desert for a single guy. Best of all they’re “ZERO CALORIES” 😉 Love em!!

  23. 28) Kelly

    These are by far may favorite chocolate chip cookies! I think instead of freezing the leftover dough, I’m going to cook all the dough and freeze the extra cookies. We’ll see how it goes!

  24. I really want to do it but unfortunately in Italy we don’t have shortening. I’ ve to use butter instead. Do you think I’ ve change something else in order to use all butter? Thanks

  25. 30) Carly

    Hey,

    Could I freeze these already baked? Looking to bake ahead for a party.

    Thanks!

    • 31) Dana

      Sure that works! My mom does that all the time. Just put them in ziplock bag, or something that keeps the most air out.

  26. 32) Ruth

    Definitely going to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing. ????

    Isn’t it funny that the pop-up ad right after your post is for sugar detox!?!

  27. 33) karen

    Getting ready to make the cookies. should the brown sugar be light or dark and what about nuts?
    Thanks

    • 34) Dana

      Awesome! Yes, light brown sugar.
      And I am a NO NUTS person with my cookies…just because I think it takes away from the softness of the cookie with that big crunch. But if you like them…throw them in!
      Enjoy!

  28. 35) DEe

    Just made these with my nephew. I’m impressed with the flavor. Didn’t realize how much bigger your kitchen aid mixing bowl was bigger than mine. We almost had a disaster here! ????
    Thank you very much for sharing.

  29. 36) Minusch

    Made these chookies with my kids, We are addicted now!! Greatings from Germany!!

  30. 37) pavla

    I have used several of your recipes and wanted to tell you what a wonderful job you did with your website. I made the chocolate chip cookies last night and they were the best I had ever made! you and this site have been an inspiration to me. thank you!

  31. 38) Poppy

    Mmmmmmmmm these cookies were MADE for this sort of time…
    Stay at home and eat those cookies and you will never come back out!
    Great bake for a rainy day in self isolation

  32. 39) Shirley

    I printed this recipe years ago from your website, and it is the only recipe I use for all different types of cookies. So I was going through some of my go-to recipes and thought I would try to see if this one was still listed on the internet and here it is! I refuse to use any other cookie recipe for these type cookies. They turn out perfect every time. I have made them into chocolate chocolate chip, chocolate chip toffee, peanut butter chip, mint chocolate chip, etc. In fact, when my daughter got married 2 years ago, we needed an extra sweet treat that was easy and I used this very recipe to make 4 different types of cookies. Thank you for sharing this because it has been and will continue to be my go-to cookie recipe!

    • 40) Dana

      Oh my gosh that’s so awesome! Yay! That makes me totally happy to hear 🙂 I’ll have to try some of your variations! 🙂

  33. 41) Christina

    Thank you for sharing this, Dana! When my kid’s field hockey team suddenly made the playoffs after 14 years of straight losses, I needed lots of cookies, stat, for team dinners and bus rides. These were a big hit and being able to bake them off as I needed them made my life so much easier. Go team! Go chocolate chip cookies for the win!

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