If you have a sweet tooth and love the comforting combination of tender sugar cookies with bursts of melty chocolate, then this Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe is going to become your new favorite treat. Imagine a buttery, soft cookie that melts in your mouth, generously dotted with mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, perfectly balancing sweetness and texture. This recipe brings together simple, everyday ingredients to create cookies that are not only delicious but also a joy to bake and share with loved ones.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A smooth, round ball of cookie dough with small dark chocolate chips evenly spread inside is placed in a white bowl. The dough has a light beige color with the dark chocolate pieces giving a speckled look. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and the dough looks soft and ready to bake. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely essential to achieve the perfect texture and flavor in your cookies. Each one plays a vital role, from creating that rich, buttery base to adding sweetness and a delightful chocolate surprise in every bite.

1 cup unsalted butter: Softened butter provides the creamy richness and tender crumb that makes these cookies so irresistible.
1/3 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s slight crisp edges while keeping the inside soft.
1/2 cup light brown sugar: Infuses a subtle caramel flavor and adds moisture for chewiness.
1 large egg yolk: The yolk enriches the dough, making it tender and giving it a lovely golden color.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth of flavor, enhancing all the other ingredients.
2 to 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookie; start with 2 cups and add a bit more as needed for the perfect dough consistency.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the buttery notes.
1 ½ cups semi-sweet mini chocolate chips: The star addition for that classic chocolate chip surprise in every bite, mini chips distribute evenly and melt beautifully.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together the Sugars and Butter

Start by beating the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This process is crucial because it incorporates air, giving the cookies their delightful texture and buttery flavor.

Step 2: Add the Egg Yolk and Vanilla Extract

Next, mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. The egg yolk provides richness and helps bind the ingredients, while vanilla adds that warm, inviting aroma that makes your cookies so comforting.

Step 3: Sift and Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and salt together. Then, gradually add this to your wet ingredients, about one cup at a time, mixing just until everything is combined. You want to be cautious here — over-mixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop once the flour is fully integrated.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips by Hand

Rather than using a mixer, gently fold in the semi-sweet mini chocolate chips with a spatula. This old-fashioned method keeps the chips intact and evenly dispersed throughout the dough, giving you beautiful pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling solidifies the butter and helps the cookies keep their shape without spreading too much during baking, which is why these cookies roll and cut so perfectly.

Step 6: Roll Out and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once chilled, roll the dough out on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper to your desired thickness, then use cookie cutters to cut into fun shapes or simply slice into rounds. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye out—the cookies should be lightly golden at the edges but soft in the center.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a metal baking tray on a white marbled texture surface, holding eleven round, flat cookie dough pieces arranged in rows. Each cookie dough is light beige with small, dark chocolate chips evenly spread inside. The cookies are smooth with thin thickness, and a few have a light sprinkle of coarse salt on top, adding small white specks. The tray fills most of the image, and the clean, even spacing of the dough creates a neat, orderly look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple is best here. A gentle dusting of powdered sugar right after baking adds a snow-kissed charm, or you can press a few extra chocolate chips on the tops of warm cookies for an inviting chocolatey finish. If you like a little extra flair, sprinkle on some finely chopped nuts or a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness.

Side Dishes

Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe pairs wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of rich coffee or tea. For a fun twist, try serving alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate your snack into a dessert celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

These cookies are perfect for gift-giving when stacked and tied with ribbon. You can also sandwich them with frosting or jam for a delightful twist, turning simple sugar cookies into elegant treats. Lay them out on a festive platter at your next gathering and watch them disappear fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture and keeps those cookies perfectly tender.

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully! Shape the dough into a log or portion into balls, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual. Alternatively, you can freeze the baked cookies for a quick treat later.

Reheating

To enjoy your cookies warm and melty, simply heat them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This little trick revives their fresh-from-the-oven goodness every time.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini ones?

Absolutely! Regular-sized chocolate chips work fine, but mini chips distribute more evenly throughout the dough and melt in a way that feels extra indulgent with each bite.

What if I don’t have light brown sugar?

You can substitute with an equal amount of dark brown sugar or make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a bit of molasses. This will still add the delicious caramel notes that brown sugar provides.

Why do you recommend folding in the chocolate chips by hand?

Folding by hand helps keep the chocolate chips whole, preventing them from breaking up into the dough. This ensures beautiful, melty pockets of chocolate instead of a more uniform chocolate flavor throughout.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Keep an eye on your dough consistency, though, as gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently.

How thick should I roll out the dough?

Rolling the dough about 1/4 inch thick is ideal. It allows the cookies to bake evenly while staying soft and tender, and it’s also perfect for cutting into shapes that hold up well during baking.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies Recipe is one of those comforting classics that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Its simple ingredients combine to create a cookie that’s soft, flavorful, and delightfully chocolatey. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and sweet memories. Give this recipe a try and see how quickly they become a beloved treat in your household!