Picture this: a warm chocolate chip cookie that starts with a delightful crispy, buttery bite and melts into a moist, fluffy inside that’s as soft as a pillow. You know the kind, right? With just the right amount of gooey chocolate in every mouthful? Well, hold onto your taste buds because my favorite soft & fluffy chocolate chip cookie recipe is about to become your new obsession.
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe—isn’t everyone? The joy of finding that ideal balance between texture and taste can feel like striking gold in the kitchen. After countless batches and taste tests (my daughter, the ever-enthusiastic cookie mixer, can vouch for that), we’ve landed on a fluffy chocolate chip recipe that’s dangerously close to perfection. These cookies have the irregular charm of homemade goodies and a secret ingredient that takes them to the next level. Ready for the big reveal?
Drumroll, please… cornstarch! Yes, you heard that right. This seemingly mundane pantry staple is the magic that gives these cookies their soft, fluffy, and gooey texture. Cornstarch might sound like an odd addition to a classic recipe, but trust me, it works wonders. Let’s dive into the details, shall we?
(Note: This post first appeared on my blog in September 2012, and has been updated with new photos!)
The Secret to the Perfect Fluffy Chocolate Chip Cookie
The key to a sensational cookie lies in its texture. While some might prefer crispy, wafer-thin cookies, if you’re like me and my family, a cookie with a slightly crisp edge and a soft, fluffy center is where the heart—and taste buds—lie. The secret to achieving this dream texture is not just in the ingredients but in the method and care you put into mixing and baking.
Here’s a pro-tip from our cookie-baking adventures: don’t worry about making perfectly uniform cookie dough balls. Embrace the irregularity! It adds a personal, homemade touch to your cookies that screams “made with love.” Plus, the different shapes create delightful variations in texture from cookie to cookie.
My daughter (who always happily mixes our cookies) agrees that these are simply yummy.
Ingredients
- softened salted butter*
- packed brown sugar
- granulated white sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking soda
- salt
- chocolate chips (milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or a combination of them all — your choice!)
*Swap the salted butter for unsalted butter if you want to cut down on the sodium.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, you can prep your cookie dough.
Cream Together the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it determines the texture of your cookies. Make sure the butter is just right—not too melted or too firm. You can use an electric mixer or a hand mixer for ultimate fluffiness.
Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. This adds to the rich flavor and helps bind your dough.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients before they meet the wet ones.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, and we want them soft and fluffy!
Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips by hand. This keeps them from getting crushed and ensures you get delightful pockets of chocolate in every bite.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop out the dough with a spoon or a cookie scoop, and drop them onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Remember, don’t stress about making them perfectly uniform; the beauty is in the variety.
Bake: Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. I tend to err on the side of caution with baking time, often pulling them out closer to the 8-minute mark. The cookies might look slightly underbaked in the middle, but they’ll continue to set as they cool, ensuring a soft center.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Or, if you’re like us, grab one warm from the sheet and enjoy the gooey, melty, chewy chocolate chip cookies right away!
A Few Extra Tips
For truly the best chocolate chip cookies, try out these simple tips & tricks:
- Chill the Dough: If you have the time, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes can help the cookies maintain their shape and give them a slightly chewier texture.
- Mix-Ins: While chocolate chips are the star here, feel free to get creative. Try adding chunks of your favorite chocolate bar, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for an extra flavor kick.
- Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week, but let’s be honest—they rarely last that long!
Recipe Card
Here’s the fluffy chocolate chip cookie recipe (adapted from Chocolate Chip Cookies a la Anna Olson) – it uses corn starch which sounds funny, but gives these cookies a soft, fluffy, and gooey texture that you’ll go ga ga over!
Yield: 2 dozen
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
A secret ingredient makes these classic chocolate chip cookies extra soft!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cream together the butter and sugars. Add the egg and vanilla.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Mix.
- Mix in the chocolate chips (I usually do this by hand).
- Bake for 8-10 minutes (I err on the shorter side).
- Let cool and enjoy!
Whether you’re making these cookies for a cozy family night, a special treat for friends, or just because (the best reason of all!), this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake up some happiness. Enjoy every bite of these delectable cookies—your taste buds will thank you!
I’d love to hear how your cookies turned out! Did you add any special twists or have any fun baking moments? Share your experience in the comments below, or tag me on social media with your cookie photos. Let’s spread the cookie love! Happy baking! 🍪
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