Learn How to Bake Cookies Like a Pro

There’s just something magical about a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie, isn’t there? If you’ve been searching for the perfect guide on how to bake cookies that turn out incredibly delicious every single time, well, you’ve found it! These Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies are a dream come true – simple to whip up and oh-so satisfying. Seriously, you are going to be SO happy once you try this recipe for how to bake cookies! This method for how to bake cookies is a game-changer!

Why These Are the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (and How to Bake Cookies Perfectly!)

Chocolate chip cookies are an absolute classic, and this recipe? It’s one I’ve tweaked and perfected over time, just like my mom used to make! I still remember the smell of cookies baking in her kitchen. Learning how to bake cookies like these was one of the first baking adventures I truly mastered, and I was so proud. These cookies are famous in my family, and trust me, understanding how to bake cookies this way is surprisingly easy, and they taste unbelievably good! We’ll even touch upon some ideas for cut out sugar cookies and other cookie recipes sugar cookies fans might love later on!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Details:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
• Additional Time: At least 1 hour chilling (but longer is even better!)
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (plus longer chilling if desired)
• Yield: About 24-30 cookies
• Servings: Makes a happy crowd!

Ingredients: Everything You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to gather for this amazing lesson in how to bake cookies:

• 2 ¼ cups (270g) All-Purpose Flour
• ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
• ¾ teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup (226g) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature (so important!)
• ¾ cup (150g) Granulated Sugar
• ¾ cup (165g) Light Brown Sugar, packed (this makes them so chewy!)
• 1 Large Egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) Vanilla Extract (the good stuff!)
• 2 cups (approx. 340g or one 12oz bag) Chocolate Chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark – you pick your favorite!)

Your Guide on How to Bake Cookies: Step-by-Step

Ready to learn how to bake cookies that will wow everyone? Let’s do this!

Nailing the Dough: The First Step in How to Bake Cookies

1. Get Your Dry Mix Ready: In a medium bowl, grab a whisk and combine your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together really well – you want that baking soda and salt to be friends with all the flour so every cookie tastes perfect. Set this bowl aside for now.
2. Cream That Butter: In the bowl of your stand mixer (the paddle attachment is your best friend here!) or using a large bowl and an electric hand mixer, pop in your room temperature butter. Give it a quick cream just to get it moving and a bit fluffy.
3. Sweeten It Up: Now, add the granulated sugar to the butter. Mix it up! Then, while that’s going, measure out your light brown sugar (oh, that smell!). Add the packed light brown sugar to the bowl. Beat this butter and sugar mixture on medium-low speed until it’s super light and fluffy. This usually takes about 5 minutes, so be patient – it’s worth it for the perfect cookie texture! This stage is crucial for learning how to bake cookies with the right chewiness.
   Egg & Vanilla Time: Crack your room temperature egg right into the bowl. Mix it in, and then pour in that lovely vanilla extract. Mix again until it’s all combined. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl! This helps make sure everything is mixed evenly, so you don’t get any surprise buttery bits in your last few cookies.
4. Bring it All Together: Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until it’s almost combined. You should still see a little bit of flour hanging around – that’s totally fine!
5. Chocolate Heaven: Now for the best part! Add in your chocolate chips. You can use any kind you love – even chopped-up chocolate bars work great! Stir these in on low speed just until those chocolate chips are nicely distributed and the last bits of flour are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix! Give it one final stir with a spatula to make sure there are no hidden pockets of flour or lonely chocolate chips. This step in how to bake cookies is where the magic really happens!

Chilling & Baking: The Secret to Amazing Cookies

1. Chill Out Time: Cover your bowl of cookie dough and pop it into the fridge. It needs to chill for at least one hour. Honestly, the longer you can let it chill, the better your cookies will taste and the more amazing their texture will be. So, if you can wait longer, do it!
2. Get Ready to Bake: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper – it makes cleanup a breeze!
3. Scoop ’em Up: Scoop out your chilled dough using a cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie is a good size) or just roll them into balls. If the dough is super chilled, it might be a bit firm, but that’s good! Just give them a quick roll between your palms to make them nice and round. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
   A Little Extra Pretty (Optional): If you want your cookies to look extra bakery-worthy, press a few extra chocolate chips right onto the tops of the dough balls before they go into the oven. It’s all about those little details! This tip really elevates your game when you how to bake cookies.
4. Bake to Perfection: Pop those cookies into your preheated oven! Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn a lovely golden brown and the centers look set. Every oven is a bit different, so keep an eye on them! Learning how to bake cookies involves knowing your oven.
5. Cool Down: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Or, you know, sneak one while it’s still warm and gooey (we won’t tell!).

Cook’s Notes & Happy Baking Tips!

• Room Temp is Key: Seriously, make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature. It makes a HUGE difference in how your cookies turn out.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, and nobody wants that!
• Chill, Chill, Chill: I know it’s hard to wait, but chilling the dough is a secret weapon for flavor and texture. It helps prevent spreading and makes them chewier.
• Love Other Cookies? If you’re a fan of all thing’s cookies, you might also adore christmas cutout cookie recipes or classic sugar cookies and icing combinations!

Understanding how to bake cookies like these is a skill that brings so much joy! 

If you tried this recipe for how to bake cookies or any of my recipes, I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you! Leave me a comment below. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies