Classic Chewy Cookies

Craving a sweet treat that’s soft and chewy? That’s why I love making Classic Chewy Cookies! They’re simple, comforting, and always hit the spot.

I mix up a basic dough with butter, sugar, and a few pantry staples. They bake up golden on the edges and stay perfectly chewy in the middle. My family waits by the oven for that first warm bite!

No fancy stuff needed. Just one bowl, a spoon, and a few easy steps. They’re quick, fun, and perfect for any day you want something sweet.

Let’s bake these cookies together! I’ll show you how easy it is. Ready for classic, chewy goodness?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ideal Texture: Achieving a cookie that’s chewy but not cakey, soft but not soggy, requires the right mix of ingredients and technique. This recipe balances moisture from brown sugar and butter with the right amount of flour and baking soda to create that sought-after chewiness.
• Rich, Balanced Flavor: Using both brown sugar and granulated sugar gives these cookies a depth of sweetness and a subtle caramel note, while vanilla extract enhances the buttery richness without overpowering it.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: All ingredients are common pantry staples, making this recipe easy to pull off without special shopping.
• Dependable Results: The method focuses on key steps like properly creaming butter and sugars and chilling the dough, which help control texture and flavor consistency, so you can trust your cookies will turn out great every time.
• Customizable: While the base is classic, you can personalize it easily — add nuts for crunch, or swap chocolate chips for chunks or other mix-ins to suit your preferences.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep and Cook Times

• Prep Time: 15 minutes of hands-on mixing, plus a minimum of 30 minutes chilling. The chill time isn’t just a suggestion — it’s important. Chilling the dough helps solidify the fats, which controls spreading during baking and allows flavors to meld for a richer cookie.
• Bake Time: 10-12 minutes. Watching the cookies closely is key. Remove them when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked — they’ll finish cooking on the baking sheet, giving that perfect chew.
• Total Time: About 1 hour including chilling and cooling.

Servings

This batch yields roughly 24 medium-sized cookies. They’re great for sharing or for keeping a supply on hand for a few days — if they last that long!

Skill Level

The recipe is straightforward enough for a beginner baker but also satisfying for those who want to master cookie texture and technique. You’ll learn essential baking skills like creaming butter and sugar, handling dough, and timing your bake.

Essential Kitchen Tools

Using the right tools makes the process easier and improves the final result:

• Mixing Bowls: One for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients. Having separate bowls helps avoid overmixing and ensures even distribution.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurement is crucial, especially for flour and leavening agents.
• Hand or Stand Mixer: Creaming butter and sugar properly is easier with a mixer, but it can be done by hand if necessary.
• Baking Sheets: Choose sturdy, rimmed sheets to hold the dough.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevent sticking and promote even baking.
• Cooling Rack: Allows air to circulate around cookies after baking so they cool evenly and maintain texture.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: For uniform cookie sizes and even baking.

Ingredients Explained

• Unsalted Butter (softened): Butter provides fat that makes cookies tender and flavorful. Softened butter is key — it should be pliable but not melted, so it can properly cream with sugars.
• Brown Sugar: Contains molasses, which adds moisture and chewiness, plus a subtle caramel flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge by encouraging spreading.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture. Using room temperature eggs helps incorporate them smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances sweetness and adds complexity to the flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure. It’s important to measure flour correctly (spoon and level) to avoid dry, dense cookies.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that causes the dough to spread and rise slightly, contributing to texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provide gooey, melty pockets of chocolate — a classic addition to chewy cookies.
• Chopped Pecans (optional): Adds texture contrast and a rich, nutty flavor.

Variations for Classic Chewy Cookies

While the traditional recipe is excellent on its own, you can easily tweak it to suit different tastes or occasions:

• Add Nuts: Mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for crunch and flavor depth. Toasting the nuts beforehand intensifies their aroma.
• Switch Up the Chocolate: Try white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or a mix of milk and semi-sweet chocolate for variety.
• Add Oats: For a bit more chew and heartiness, add rolled oats (about 1/2 cup). This changes the texture but keeps the cookie moist.
• Add Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives a warm, cozy flavor twist.
• Use Different Extracts: Substitute some or all vanilla with almond or maple extract for a unique note.

How to Make Classic Chewy Cookies — Step-by-Step

1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Equipment

Begin by softening the butter to room temperature—this usually takes about 30-60 minutes outside the fridge. Make sure your eggs are also at room temperature for best mixing results. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed and prevents clumps in the dough.

3. Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Proper creaming traps air, which helps the cookies rise and develop a tender texture.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or fold in gently with a spatula just until combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and make cookies tough.

6. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Use a spatula to fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans (if using) evenly throughout the dough.

7. Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling solidifies the fats and hydrates the flour, which results in less spreading during baking and improved flavor.

8. Scoop the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.

9. Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Watch carefully: the edges should turn a light golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft. This ensures a chewy texture once cooled.

10. Cool

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on the sheet allows them to set properly without breaking.

How to Serve Classic Chewy Cookies

These cookies are delicious on their own but also shine when paired with:

• Cold Milk: A classic combo that complements the rich, buttery flavor.
• Coffee or Tea: The warmth balances the sweetness and adds comfort.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for an easy dessert.
• Gift Boxes: Wrapped nicely, these cookies make thoughtful homemade gifts for friends and family.

Storing Classic Chewy Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container—the cookies absorb moisture from the bread.
• Freezing Dough: Portion the dough and freeze it on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a tray. Once firm, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Too much flour leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
• Softened Butter is Key: Butter should be soft but not melted for proper creaming and texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Once the flour is added, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
• Chill the Dough: This step is crucial for flavor and controlling how much the cookies spread while baking.
• Watch Baking Time: Remove cookies as soon as edges turn golden but centers still look soft to keep chewiness.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Cookie (approx.)
Calories	150
Total Fat	8 g
Saturated Fat	4.5 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	90 mg
Total Carbohydrate	20 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g
Sugars	13 g
Protein	2 g

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Classic Chewy Cookies FAQs

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: Yes, but reduce or omit added salt to avoid overly salty cookies.

Q: Why do I need to chill the dough?
A: Chilling firms the fat, reducing spreading and improving texture and flavor.

Q: How do I keep cookies chewy longer?
A: Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.

Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but texture may vary slightly.

Q: Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
A: Yes. Freeze dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen with extra baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too.

Conclusion

This Classic Chewy Cookies recipe combines simple ingredients with easy techniques to create a timeless cookie loved by many. The balance of brown and granulated sugar, creamed butter, and the chilling step ensures a chewy texture with rich flavor. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or share them with friends, these cookies bring comfort and sweetness to any moment.