If you’ve ever dreamed of the perfect cookie that combines the best of both worlds—soft, buttery sugar cookie goodness studded with melty chocolate chips—then you are going to adore this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe. This delightful treat brings together the light, tender crumb of a classic sugar cookie with the rich, sweet surprise of chocolate chips, creating an irresistible bite every single time. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or need a sweet pick-me-up, this recipe delivers consistently scrumptious cookies that feel homemade, comforting, and just plain fun to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients are the secret to these chocolate chip sugar cookies tasting like a little slice of heaven. Each element plays a crucial role—from the creamy butter that adds moisture to the brown and granulated sugars giving that perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness, to the vanilla and almond extracts that bring in subtle warmth and depth.
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that helps the cookies stay tender and moist.
- 1/3 cup brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor and moisture for chewy texture.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: Gives classic sweetness and helps the edges crisp just right.
- 1 whole large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s soft structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract: Imparts warm, aromatic flavor that makes every bite special.
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty essence that complements the chocolate beautifully.
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: The backbone that creates the cookie’s tender crumb.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch: Keeps the cookies soft and delicate, preventing toughness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough without spreading too much.
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips: Melts into sweet pockets of chocolate goodness throughout each cookie.
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional): Adds a fun pop of color and extra sweetness, perfect for celebrations.
- Rolling sugar (optional): For that extra sparkle and a lightly crisp surface on each cookie.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Using a large mixing bowl and an electric or stand mixer, beat the softened butter until it’s completely smooth and creamy. Adding the brown and granulated sugars next, continue mixing until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and deliciously whipped—this aeration is what gives your cookies that lovely lift and tenderness.
Step 2: Incorporate the Egg and Extracts
Once your butter and sugars are perfectly combined, add the egg along with your vanilla bean paste (or extract) and almond extract. These extracts may be small in volume but they’re huge in flavor, giving your cookies that comforting, nuanced aroma. Mix everything together until fully incorporated and smooth.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Next, gently fold in your all-purpose flour, corn starch, and baking soda. These dry ingredients bring structure to your dough while corn starch ensures the cookies stay tender instead of tough. Mix just until a soft dough forms—over-mixing at this stage can cause the cookies to become dense, so be gentle!
Step 4: Stir in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles
This is the fun part! Add the mini chocolate chips and optional sprinkles to your dough. Give everything a quick but careful mix, just enough to evenly distribute these tasty add-ins without breaking them up. This step is what makes this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe feel like a festive treat perfect for any occasion.
Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Use a mini ice cream scoop or two tablespoons to form evenly sized dough balls. Roll each ball into sugar if you want a shiny, pretty finish with a little crunch on the outside—totally optional but highly recommended. Place the dough balls spaced apart on your prepared baking sheets, then bake for 9 to 10 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden while the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are mouthwatering on their own, you can dress them up elegantly with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Fresh berries or edible flowers also make a beautiful, unexpected garnish if you’re serving them for a special event.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of rich coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert experience that feels indulgent and nostalgic. Nutty toppings or a simple bowl of fresh fruit can also balance the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies tied with a vibrant ribbon for gift-giving, arranging them on a colorful platter for parties, or sandwiching a dollop of frosting or chocolate ganache between two cookies for an extra fun twist. The playful sprinkles already add a mini celebration to each cookie, so presentation can be as simple or as fancy as you like.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain soft and flavorful for up to a week, perfect for nibbling throughout the week or sharing with friends.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep nicely for up to 3 months, so you can enjoy your Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe anytime the craving hits.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy frozen cookies, just let them thaw at room temperature or warm them gently in the oven at 300 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and melts the chocolate chips just perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe?
Either works fine! Using salted butter adds a little extra flavor to balance the sweetness, but if you only have unsalted, you can add a tiny pinch of salt to your dry ingredients.
Why do we add cornstarch to sugar cookie dough?
Cornstarch helps keep the cookies tender and soft by slowing down gluten formation in the flour, which prevents the cookies from becoming tough or chewy like traditional crisp sugar cookies.
Can I substitute almond extract?
If almond extract isn’t your favorite or you don’t have it on hand, you can simply leave it out or substitute with an equal amount of vanilla extract to maintain a lovely, warm flavor profile.
What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?
To avoid dense cookies, gently spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife—avoid packing the flour down tightly, which can make your dough too dry.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, and make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might vary slightly, but the flavor will still shine.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe enough if you want a cookie that’s delightfully soft and flavorful with just the right amount of chocolatey goodness in every bite. They’re simple to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Grab your ingredients, invite some friends over, and get ready to bake yourself a batch of happiness—you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 21 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies combine the classic flavors of buttery sugar cookies with mini chocolate chips and a hint of almond extract for a delightful treat. Soft and chewy with a slight crunch from the rolling sugar, these cookies are perfect for any occasion and easy to bake at home with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
- rolling sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter until smooth. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to mix everything evenly.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add in the whole large egg, vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, and almond extract. Continue beating until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Mix gently until the dough begins to form, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips and optional sprinkles into the dough until just combined, distributing evenly throughout.
- Form and Bake Cookies: Using a mini ice cream scoop or a pair of tablespoons, form dough balls and roll them in rolling sugar if using. Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them to allow for spreading. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy the cookies warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute almond extract with an additional 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if preferred.
- Rolling sugar adds a nice crunch and sparkle, but is optional.
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by removing them a minute earlier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing the dough balls before baking can help preserve their shape.
