Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

These soft, chewy Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with light brown sugar and semi-sweet chocolate chips and ready in 30 minutes. Pulling the golden brown cookies out of the oven reveals melted chocolate pooling in every warm bite. I love making these on Sunday afternoons when craving a classic treat.

Why This Classic Works

I used to struggle with cookies spreading too thin on the baking tray. Following this method taught me that properly creaming the butter and sugar creates the perfect thick base.

I was surprised by how much difference an extra splash of vanilla extract makes. It balances the sweetness and gives the dough a rich bakery flavor.

Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. 1. Preheat The Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. 2. Cream Butter And Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
3. 3. Add Eggs And Vanilla: Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. 4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
5. 5. Mix The Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. 6. Fold In Extras: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
7. 7. Bake The Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Recipe Tips

• Use room temperature ingredients: Softened butter and room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the dough.
• Do not overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until the white streaks disappear to keep the cookies tender.
• Chill the dough: If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 20 minutes before baking to prevent flat cookies.

What To Serve With Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies pair perfectly with a tall glass of cold whole milk or a hot cup of black coffee. You can also serve them warm with a large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

How To Store

Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. You can freeze the unbaked dough balls in a zip-top bag for up to three months. Bake them straight from frozen, adding two extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter if that is what you have. Just reduce the added kosher salt in the recipe to half a teaspoon.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

Flat cookies usually happen if the butter was melted instead of softened, or if the dough was too warm. Try chilling your baking sheets between batches.

Can I use different chocolate chips?

Absolutely. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips work perfectly in this dough.

How do I keep them soft for longer?

Store the baked cookies with a small piece of sandwich bread in the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.

Nutrition

• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 110mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 26g
• Protein: 3g

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Carrot Cake Recipe
• Ina Garten Tres Leches Cake Recipe
• Ina Garten Apple Pie Bars Recipe
• Ina Garten Banana Bread Recipe

Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe by Imen Dridi

Servings

36

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Soft and chewy Ina Garten Chocolate Chip Cookies made with light brown sugar, real vanilla, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Ready in 30 minutes, this simple baked dessert is great to mix together for casual weekend family baking or quick treats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

• 1. Preheat The Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 2. Cream Butter And Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• 3. Add Eggs And Vanilla: Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• 4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
• 5. Mix The Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
• 6. Fold In Extras: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
• 7. Bake The Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are golden brown.