Craving that warm, gooey, perfectly-chewy chocolate chip cookie? Forget store-bought – today, we're diving into the delicious world of homemade baking with a recipe that's as easy as it is irresistible: chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkle of sea salt. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, offering a delightful balance of sweet and salty that will have everyone asking for more. It's a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals (relatively speaking!), perfect for a quick dinner dessert or a weekend baking project.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate – your choice!)
- ½ cup flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
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Cream the Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly achieve great results with a good old-fashioned whisk and some elbow grease.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
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Stir in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips.
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Scoop & Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them!
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened – not melted, but soft enough to easily cream with the sugars. This will result in a chewier cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This also helps prevent spreading.
- Experiment with Chocolate: Try different types of chocolate chips or even add chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: Add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter to the wet ingredients.
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: Substitute white chocolate chips and add ½ cup of chopped macadamia nuts.
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the baked cookies once they've cooled.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on chocolate type and size)
This recipe delivers a delicious and easy homemade treat that's perfect for satisfying any chocolate craving. Enjoy these delightful cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage. They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a perfect example of delicious dishes made simple. Try this recipe today and elevate your baking game!