Thick, chewy, golden-brown chocolate chip cookies with crisp edges and gooey centers. These bakery-style cookies are made with simple ingredients and deliver big on flavor and texture—perfect for gifting, sharing, or indulging in a nostalgic treat any day of the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies rival those from your favorite bakery. With their soft, chewy centers and buttery, crisp edges, they strike the perfect texture balance. They’re rich with vanilla and packed with chocolate chips, making them ideal for cookie lovers. Plus, the dough is straightforward and doesn’t require chilling, so you can have warm, fresh cookies in under 30 minutes.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

all-purpose flour
baking soda
salt
unsalted butter, softened
brown sugar, packed
granulated sugar
large egg
egg yolk
vanilla extract
semi-sweet chocolate chips

directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Cooling Time: 5–10 minutes
Total Time: Around 30 minutes

Variations

Nutty Twist: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
Triple Chocolate: Mix in dark and white chocolate chips along with the semi-sweet ones.
Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each cookie before baking for a gourmet touch.
Espresso Infusion: Add ½ tsp instant espresso powder for a mocha flavor profile.
Mini Version: Use mini chocolate chips and scoop smaller dough balls to yield bite-sized cookies.

storage/reheating

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake directly from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

To reheat, warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I chill the dough for better flavor?

Yes, chilling the dough for a few hours or overnight enhances the flavor and results in a chewier texture.

Why use an extra egg yolk?

The egg yolk adds richness and contributes to a soft, chewy texture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to about ¼ teaspoon.

What kind of chocolate chips work best?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips are standard, but you can use dark, milk, or a combination based on preference.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Do I need to flatten the dough balls before baking?

No, the cookies will spread naturally as they bake.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely, a hand mixer works well for creaming the butter and sugars.

What should I do if my cookies spread too much?

Try chilling the dough, ensuring your butter isn’t overly soft, and checking that your baking soda is fresh.

How do I get bakery-style texture?

Use room-temperature butter, measure flour accurately, and avoid overbaking—the centers should look slightly underdone.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but note that texture may vary slightly.

Conclusion

These Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything a classic cookie should be—chewy, buttery, packed with chocolate, and easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, this recipe guarantees delicious results every time. Enjoy them warm, freeze for later, or gift them in a beautiful box—these cookies never disappoint.