Chocolate chip sugar cookies are the ultimate treat! With their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and pockets of sweet chocolate, they’re perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy afternoon snack or a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.
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Chocolate chip sugar cookies are a delightful twist on my classic sugar cookie dough. By adding chocolate chips, these cookies bring an extra layer of indulgence and flavor to an already irresistible treat. The buttery base pairs perfectly with the rich, melty chocolate in every bite, making them a must-have for cookie lovers.
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, using pantry staples like butter, sugar, and flour. With a few simple steps and my expert tips, you'll have perfect cookies every time.
To ensure flawless results, chill the dough before baking to maintain their shape and achieve that ideal balance of crispy edges and a soft center.
These cookies are wonderfully crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with chocolatey goodness. Whether you're baking for Christmas, Valentine's day, or just indulging in a sweet treat, these cut-out cookies are the perfect choice.
Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredient You Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make these chocolate chip cut out cookies:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is best for well-structured, slightly crisp cookies. You can also use pastry flour for a more delicate texture.
- Powdered sugar: Perfect for creating melt-in-your-mouth cookies. For a slightly crunchier texture, swap it with granulated sugar.
- Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and a tender cookie texture.
- Egg: Use a room-temperature egg to ensure a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Vanilla and salt: Pure vanilla extract adds a lovely flavor, and a pinch of salt enhances the sweetness.
- Baking powder (optional): Use a small amount for cookies with a slightly lighter texture.
- Chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips work wonderfully, evenly distributing bursts of chocolate in every bite.
How To Make Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
Here are some quick visual instructions. Don’t forget, the full instructions with exact ingredients are in the main recipe card below!
Step 1: In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar at medium speed until creamy.
Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix again with the electric mixer until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Add the dark chocolate chips and mix again with the electric mixer until they are evenly distributed in the dough.
Step 4: Finally, add the flour, baking powder (optional), and salt. Mix at low speed or with a rubber spatula until you have a smooth, slightly sticky cookie dough.
Gather the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper on a flat surface with a rolling pin. If possible, place it back in the refrigerator or freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
Step 6: Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the chocolate chip cookie dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Enjoy! Let them rest on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Once cooled, serve these chocolate sugar cookies dipped in melted chocolate or decorated with royal icing!
Tips for this recipe
Storage instructions
Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week to keep them fresh.
Freezing: Place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations & Substitutions
Recipe Questions
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the additional pinch of salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
Why is my dough too sticky to work with?
The dough might need more chilling. Place it in the refrigerator for an additional 15–20 minutes until firm enough to handle.
Can I freeze the cookie dough instead of baked cookies?
Absolutely! Roll the dough into a log or individual balls, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
What can I substitute for powdered sugar?
Granulated sugar can be used, but the texture will be slightly crunchier compared to the melt-in-your-mouth texture powdered sugar provides.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure the dough is properly chilled before baking, and avoid overmixing the dough after adding the dry ingredients.
More Cookie Recipe
I hope you love these chocolate chip cut out sugar cookies! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!
PrintChocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookies
Description
Crunchy and soft cookies with chocolate chips, perfect for any occasion (makes about 25 cookies).
Ingredients
- 100 g (½ cup) unsalted butter - softened
- 80 g (⅔ cup) powdered sugar
- 1 egg - room temperature
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 200 g (1 ⅔ cups) all-purpose flour (T55)
- A pinch of salt
- ½ tsp baking powder - optional
- 80 g (½ cup) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix again until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and mix briefly to evenly distribute them.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients—flour, salt, and optional baking powder—mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Gather the dough using a pastry scraper and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
- Roll out the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of 3–4 mm (⅛ inch).
- Freeze the dough for 10–15 minutes to make it easier to cut out shapes.
- Cut out cookies using your preferred cookie cutter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool the cookies slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Store the chocolate chip sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week to maintain their freshness.
Tips:
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them to prevent condensation.
- For easier handling, chill the dough in the refrigerator before rolling it out.
- For an extra crispy texture, roll the dough out thinly before cutting.
- Freeze the cookies briefly before baking to help them hold their shape during baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: cookies
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 96.7 mg
- Fat: 4.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
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