Why did my soft chocolate chip cookies turn out hard?

Your cookies likely turned out hard because they baked too long. Pull them from the oven while the centers still look slightly underdone to keep the soft texture. Using more brown sugar also helps lock in moisture.

How do I keep my cookies soft after baking?

Let the cookies cool fully before storing, then place them in an airtight container. Adding a slice of plain white bread helps retain moisture and keeps soft chocolate chip cookies tender longer.

Can I skip chilling the dough?

You can skip chilling the dough, but the cookies may spread more and lose their thick, soft centers. A short chill helps the dough hold shape and improves texture.

Should I use chocolate chips or chopped chocolate?

Chopped chocolate melts into small pockets throughout the cookie, creating a gooier texture. Chocolate chips keep their shape. A mix of both gives the softest and most flavorful results.

Why are my cookies too flat?

Cookies often turn out flat when the dough is too warm or the flour is under-measured. Chilling the dough and measuring flour correctly keeps cookies thick, soft, and well-shaped.

soft chocolate chip cookies – 7 irresistible tips for perfect, gooey results

Description

These soft chocolate chip cookies stay tender, gooey, and thick thanks to a perfect balance of brown sugar, butter, and careful baking. This recipe gives you consistently soft centers with melty chocolate in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
Cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth.
Mix in the eggs and vanilla until just combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a thick dough forms.
Fold in the chocolate chips and optional walnuts.
Scoop large portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers look slightly underdone.
Cool on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.

Notes

Do not overbake to maintain soft centers.
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps cookies stay thick.
Store in an airtight container to keep cookies soft longer.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 511
Sugar: 32
Sodium: 210
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Unsaturated Fat: 12
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 60
Fiber: 3
Protein: 6
Cholesterol: 60