Basic Chocolate Cookie Dough

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Hey there, fellow cookie lovers! Today, I’m going to share with you a recipe that has never failed to delight, comfort, and satisfy – my basic chocolate cookie dough recipe. If you’re like me and believe that there’s no such thing as too much chocolate, you’re in for a real treat.

A glass bowl of chocolate cookie dough with a spoon sitting next to it.

The Chewy Magic of Chocolate Cookies

Let’s talk about that irresistible chewy texture. You know the kind I’m talking about – that perfect balance between crispy edges and a soft, gooey center that practically melts in your mouth. These cookies embody that delightful chewiness that has made chocolate chip cookies a timeless classic.

But what’s the secret behind this cookie’s chewy magic? It’s all in the ingredients and the way they come together. Our basic chocolate cookie dough recipe combines simple, reliable ingredients in just the right proportions to create a cookie that’s the epitome of chewy perfection.

A glass bowl of chocolate cookie dough with a spoon in it.

The Simplicity of the Recipe

One of the things I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to whip up a batch of these mouthwatering cookies. All it takes is a little mixing, some patience, and a craving for chocolate.

The base of the cookie dough is straightforward – butter, sugar (both granulated and brown), eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. These ingredients come together like old friends, creating a dough that’s easy to work with and yields consistently delicious results.

Mixing Up the Magic

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, the real fun begins. Start by creaming together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. This step is where the magic of these cookies begins to unfold. As you beat these ingredients together, they transform into a light and fluffy mixture, setting the stage for that delectable chewiness.

Next comes the egg. Giving the egg it’s own “moment in the sun” ensures it gets fully incorporated into the dough, lending it the right amount of moisture and structure. And don’t forget the vanilla extract – it’s the secret ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile of these little cookies.

A glass bowl of cookie dough with a spoon in it.

The Chocolatey Goodness

Of course, we can’t talk about chocolate cookies without, well, chocolate! To achieve that rich, cocoa-packed goodness, you’ll add unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough (not Dutch processed). This deepens the chocolate flavor and gives the cookies that irresistible dark brown hue.

To balance out the intensity of the cocoa, a bit of baking soda and salt are added. These ingredients work together to create that perfect chewy texture by controlling the cookie’s rise and structure.

A glass bowl of chocolate cookie dough with a spoon in it.

Tip

When making the cookies, you can either roll the dough balls in sugar or save a bowl and just generously sprinkle the tops of each cookie with sugar. Using sugar with large granules will give the cookies a more rustic appearance.

In a world filled with complicated recipes, it’s so refreshing to have a basic chocolate cookie dough recipe that you can always rely on. And this, my friend, is it. These cookies are so simple, yet they never fail to impress with their chewy, chocolatey goodness. They’re always a hit.

So, next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat or need to satisfy a chocolate craving, give this basic chocolate cookie dough recipe a try. Enjoy, my friends!

A glass bowl of chocolate cookie dough with a spoon in it.

Basic Chocolate Cookie Dough

By: Kristine Underwood
Indulge your sweet cravings with this basic chocolate cookie dough recipe. This timeless favorite is perfect for both novice bakers and experienced cookie enthusiasts. The rich cocoa flavor combined with the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness makes these cookies irresistible.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Sweets & Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 11 cookies
Calories 214 kcal

ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup butter, unsalted (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup natural cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Extra sugar for sprinkling or rolling

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed four about 2 minutes, until smooth and light colored.
    1/2 cup butter, unsalted, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • Add egg and vanilla extract and continue mixing for another minute.
    1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt.
    1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup natural cocoa powder, 1 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Add flour mixture, half at a time and mix with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  • Using a 3 TBS cookie scoop, scoop dough and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
  • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Make sure to read the cookie baking tips to get answers to common questions about baking cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cookieCalories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 232mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 280IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. This is my go-to recipe for chocolate cookies! It never fails to produce the most perfect cookies. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.5 stars

    1. You bet, Shelly and thank YOU for the kind words! Happy baking!

  2. Love this recipe! I’m not much of a baker, but I do love cookies. This recipe is great because it’s almost foolproof. The cookies come out excellent every time!5 stars

    1. Thank you so much, Dana! I’m glad you have good results with this recipe – that was my intention. Easy-peasy (and totally delicious, of course!).

  3. You had me at chocolate! The texture was spot on! Thanks for the delicious recipe Kristine:)5 stars

    1. Hahaha, same Kate, same! You’re so welcome. Thank YOU for the 5 stars, I appreciate it so much!

  4. This made fantastic chocolate cookies! Love how simple it was to make, only took me about 15 minutes of actual work.5 stars

  5. This is an easy recipe to follow, and the cookies came out great. Chocolate cookies are a favorite in our house, so these will be on repeat.5 stars