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Desserts & Sweets

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are one of those recipes we come back to again and again. We like ours soft through the center, a little thick, and loaded with chocolate chips. They're simple, classic, and the kind of cookies that disappear pretty quickly around here.

45 minutesAbout 4 dozenJump to Recipe
A container of thick, soft homemade chocolate chip cookies

Keeping them soft

The biggest thing for us is not overbaking them. We take the cookies out when the edges are set but the centers still look soft. They continue to set on the warm baking sheet for a few minutes, which leaves the middle soft instead of dry.

Watching them bake

Somebody is usually parked in front of the oven waiting for these. We watch the edges more than the clock — once the edges are set and the centers still look a little soft, they're ready to come out. Let them sit on the warm pan for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

A young boy watching chocolate chip cookies bake through the oven door

Printable Recipe Card

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. 2Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Beat in the eggs.
  3. 3In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
  4. 4Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture just until combined.
  5. 5Fold in the chocolate chips.
  6. 6Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
  7. 7Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look soft.
  8. 8Let the cookies rest on the warm baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Helpful Tips

Don't overbake them — take them out when the edges are set and the centers still look soft.

Let them rest on the warm baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container to help keep them soft.

Make It a Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix Gift Jar

The same chocolate chip cookies can also be made into a simple homemade gift jar. I scaled our original Pasture Threads Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe down specifically to fit a 1-quart mason jar while keeping the same flavor and texture as the full batch. The jar holds all of the dry ingredients. When it’s time to bake, just add softened butter, an egg, and vanilla. Use the full measurements and instructions below so readers can make the quart-size version without referring back to the larger recipe.

Chocolate chip cookies on a white plate with a filled cookie mix mason jar in the background

Quart-Size Cookie Mix

  • Jar Size: 1 quart (32 oz)
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Chill Time: 15 minutes
  • Bake Time: 8–10 minutes
  • Oven Temperature: 375°F
  • Yield: Approximately 24 cookies

Dry Mix Ingredients

  • 1⅛ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅜ cup granulated sugar (6 tablespoons)
  • ⅜ cup light brown sugar, packed (6 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Ingredients to Add When Baking

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Jar Assembly

  1. Combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
  2. Pour the flour mixture into the bottom of a clean, completely dry quart-size mason jar.
  3. Add the granulated sugar and level the layer.
  4. Add the packed brown sugar, gently pressing it down to create an even layer.
  5. Top with the chocolate chips.
  6. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Close-up of a quart mason jar filled with layered chocolate chip cookie mix

How to Bake the Quart-Jar Version

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Empty the entire jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
  4. Mix until a soft cookie dough forms and all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
  5. Refrigerate the dough for approximately 15 minutes.
  6. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still slightly soft.
  8. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Notes

  • This is a smaller version of the original Pasture Threads Chocolate Chip Cookies, developed specifically to fit a quart-size mason jar.
  • Both regular-mouth and wide-mouth quart mason jars accommodate the dry ingredients.
  • Wide-mouth jars are especially convenient for layering ingredients and gift presentation.
  • Chilling the dough for approximately 15 minutes helps control spreading and maintain a soft center.
  • Avoid overbaking. The cookies will continue to set as they cool.
  • Store the assembled dry mix in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dry place. For best quality, use within 2–3 months.

Gift Giving

Pair the filled mason jar with a gift tag listing the additional ingredients and baking instructions. Add ribbon, twine, or a fabric topper for a simple homemade gift. This homemade chocolate chip cookie mix works well for holidays, teachers, neighbors, hostess gifts, or anyone who loves fresh-baked cookies.

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