If you have ever wished for the ultimate classic treat that brings comfort and smiles in every bite, look no further than this Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect balance of buttery, sweet, and packed with chocolate chips that melt just right, creating that nostalgic homemade flavor we all crave. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become your go-to for sharing sweetness with friends and family or for sneaking a cookie or two just for yourself. The straightforward ingredients combine to create a timeless cookie experience that feels warm, welcoming, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe relies on simple, everyday ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building the cookie’s rich flavor and delightful texture. From the creamy butter to the melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, every element brings something special to the mix.
- Salted butter, 1 stick (1/2 cup): Softened butter creates a tender, rich base and helps the cookies spread just right.
- Light brown sugar, 2 cups: Adds moistness and a deep caramel flavor that makes these cookies irresistibly chewy.
- Large eggs, 2: Bind everything together and give structure while keeping the cookies soft.
- Vanilla extract, 1 1/2 teaspoons: Enhances all the flavors, adding a lovely floral aroma and warmth.
- All-purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups: Provides the main structure to your cookies, creating that perfect bite.
- Baking soda, 1 teaspoon: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a light texture with beautiful golden hues.
- Sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon: Balances sweetness by bringing out the rich flavors in the dough and chocolate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 bag (12 oz): The star ingredient, these chips create irresistible pockets of melty chocolate in every cookie.
How to Make Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by placing the softened salted butter and light brown sugar into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer or sturdy spoon, cream them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process aerates the dough, helping your cookies have that tender crumb and lovely texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure a smooth, consistent texture. Follow up by mixing in the vanilla extract, which will infuse the dough with that classic sweet aroma and deepen the flavor complexity.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sea salt. This step ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly spread throughout the flour, so your cookies bake evenly and develop perfect flavor balance.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into your wet batter, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as the flour disappears to keep your cookies tender and soft.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now comes the fun part — folding in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spread them evenly throughout the dough so that each cookie you bake is generously studded with those delectable melty pockets of rich chocolate.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
Drop teaspoon-sized portions of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Feel free to adjust the size depending on how big or small you want your cookies, but remember they will spread slightly as they bake.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes, watching carefully for the tops to start turning a delicate golden brown. This timing ensures a soft center with slightly crisp edges, hitting that perfect texture sweet spot.
Step 8: Cooling Time
Once out of the oven, let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes to finish cooking and firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting step helps develop texture and flavor, giving you the best bites every time.
How to Serve Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt over the cookies right after baking. The salt contrasts beautifully with the sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s richness. You might also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for extra charm.
Side Dishes
Pair these classic chocolate chip cookies with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. Each pairing adds a delightful dimension, whether it’s the refreshing balance of milk or the decadent combo of warm cookie and ice cream melting together.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the cookies as ice cream sandwiches or crumble them over yogurt and fruit for a playful dessert. Packaging them in a cute jar or wrapping individually with ribbons makes for a heartfelt homemade gift your neighbors and friends will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This helps maintain their chewiness and keeps the chocolate perfectly soft without turning the cookies stale.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, you can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. For fresh-from-the-oven taste, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven.
Reheating
To recapture that freshly baked warmth, reheat cookies in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave individually for 10-15 seconds. The chocolate chips soften and the cookie regains its soft, chewy magic.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Absolutely! If you use unsalted butter, just be sure to add a pinch more sea salt to keep the flavor balanced and avoid a bland cookie.
Is it okay to substitute brown sugar with white sugar?
You can, but brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor, creating the chewy texture these cookies are known for. Using only white sugar may result in a crisper cookie.
What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?
For the best results, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of scooping directly from the bag. This prevents packing and keeps your cookies from turning out too dense.
Can I add nuts or different types of chocolate chips?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even white chocolate chips make wonderful additions for personalization while staying true to the cookie’s classic vibe.
Why do cookies sometimes spread too much or not enough?
Cookie spreading depends on butter temperature, flour amount, and baking time. Using softened (not melted) butter and accurate flour measurements help control cookie shape, while chilling the dough before baking can reduce spreading.
Final Thoughts
There is something so special about baking and sharing the Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that feels like passing along a warm hug through food. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is an inviting way to create joyful moments with every chewy, chocolate-studded bite. Grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to fall in love with cookies all over again.
Print
Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
- Total Time: 18-19 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully soft and chewy Neighbor Chocolate Chip Cookies made with rich brown sugar, creamy butter, and loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. These easy-to-make cookies have the perfect balance of sweetness and a touch of sea salt to enhance the chocolate flavor, making them a beloved classic treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Add-ins
- 1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sea salt evenly to ensure proper leavening.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and making the cookies tough.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the cookie dough for delicious bursts of chocolate in every bite.
- Portion Dough: Drop teaspoon-sized portions of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart. You can adjust the size to make larger or smaller cookies as desired.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes or until the tops just begin to turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes to finish cooking and firm up. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Using light brown sugar provides the cookies with moistness and a rich, caramel flavor.
- Do not overmix once dry ingredients are added to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to prevent breaking.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and let them finish setting on the hot cookie sheet.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips as preferred.
