Making homemade cookies is a delightful and straightforward process. Here's a basic recipe for classic chocolate chip cookies that you can easily follow:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or your choice of mix-ins, like nuts or raisins)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or do this by hand with a sturdy spoon.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Stir in the chocolate chips (or your chosen mix-ins) until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between the cookies to allow for spreading during baking.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 9 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still appear slightly soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Feel free to customize this basic cookie recipe by adding other ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, or white chocolate chips. The best part about homemade cookies is that you can experiment with different flavors and combinations to suit your taste preferences. Happy baking!