Easy Beginner Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Chocolatey Success

No beginner’s cooking repertoire is complete without a simple, classic dessert. These cookies don’t take a ton of different ingredients and are nearly foolproof and incredibly rewarding

Why it’s perfect for beginners:
• Basic mixing techniques.
• Uses common pantry ingredients.
• Teaches the importance of oven temperature and timing.
• The result is universally loved!
• You can mess with the add-in ingredients (nuts, raisins etc) to make them your own.

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark)

Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer (or by hand with a sturdy whisk or wooden spoon) until light and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips.
8. Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.