These Joanna Gaines Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolatey goodness! They come together easily, making them perfect for any cookie lover.
Every bite feels like a warm hug, especially when they’re fresh out of the oven. I love enjoying these with a glass of milk—it’s a classic combo you can’t resist!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This flour is perfect for creating a chewy texture. If you need a gluten-free option, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which works well in cookies.
Baking soda: This is essential for helping the cookies to rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results. If you don’t have baking soda, you can use baking powder, but it will change the texture slightly.
Unsalted butter: I always choose unsalted butter for baking, as it gives you control over the saltiness. If you’re in a pinch, you can use salted butter, just reduce the added salt a little.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and flavor! Light brown sugar is what I prefer, but dark brown sugar gives a deeper flavor if you like that. You could also use coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate is standard, but feel free to mix it up! You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even chunks of your favorite chocolate bar for variety.
How do you achieve the perfect cookie texture?
The key is in the mixing and baking process! Here’s how to get that soft, chewy texture:
- Beat the butter and sugars together until creamy. This helps to incorporate air, making the cookies lighter.
- Add the eggs slowly, mixing well in between. This ensures a smooth batter.
- Don’t overmix once you add the flour. Mix just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies!
- Use a cookie scoop to get even-sized cookies. This helps them bake evenly.
- Pull them out of the oven when they’re golden around the edges and still soft in the center. They’ll continue cooking a bit on the baking sheet.
Enjoy these delicious cookies, and don’t forget to share with family or friends—if you can resist eating them all yourself!
Joanna Gaines Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prep and another 9 to 11 minutes to bake. After baking, let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes before moving them to a wire rack. All in all, you’ll have delicious cookies ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the cookies bake evenly. While the oven is heating, you can prepare the cookie dough!
2. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a small bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until they are well blended. Set this mixture aside for now.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together. Beat until the mixture is creamy and smooth—this is where your cookies get their fluffiness!
4. Add Eggs:
Crack the large eggs into the mixing bowl one at a time, mixing well after adding each egg. This helps incorporate the eggs without over-mixing.
5. Mix in Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies may turn out tough!
6. Stir in Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. Now it’s starting to look like a cookie dough!
7. Shape the Cookies:
Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie as they will spread while baking.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.
9. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. Enjoy!
Now for the best part—enjoying your freshly baked cookies! Pair them with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage for a delicious treat. Share with family and friends, or keep them all to yourself—no judgment here!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Absolutely! You can mix light and dark brown sugars or even use all granulated sugar if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind that different sugars can slightly impact the flavor and texture.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before baking to make scooping easier.
How to Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you prefer them soft and chewy, you can place a slice of bread in the container to help keep them moist!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Definitely! Freeze the cookie dough in individual scoops on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months. You can bake them straight from the freezer—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time!