Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Simple Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

A classic, no-fuss Toll House style cookie with soft centers, crisp edges, and plenty of melty chocolate. Gooey, tender, and ready for weeknights or bake sales.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A stack of soft chocolate chip cookies with melted chocolate pockets on a parchment-lined baking sheet
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If you want a chocolate chip cookie that feels like a warm hug but still has those golden, crisp edges, this is the one. It is classic Toll House energy with a couple of tiny, smart tweaks that keep the centers gooey and tender, not dry and crumbly.

We are keeping it accessible: pantry staples, two bowls (or one if you are feeling brave), and zero fancy techniques. The big wins here are proper butter softness, not overmixing, and pulling the cookies when they still look slightly underdone. That is the whole secret. Also, yes, you are allowed to “quality control” one straight off the tray.

Hands holding a warm chocolate chip cookie broken in half showing a soft, gooey center

Why It Works

  • Soft, tender centers: Brown sugar helps keep the middle moist and plush, and the optional teaspoon of cornstarch nudges things even softer.
  • Crisp edges, not crunchy bricks: Baking at 375 F gives you a quick edge set while the center stays soft. Use the visual cues, because ovens vary.
  • Big chocolate pockets: A mix of chips and chopped chocolate creates melty puddles instead of a uniform “chip distribution situation.”
  • Repeatable results: Clear cues for doneness and a short chill option when your kitchen is warm.

Pairs Well With

  • A glass of cold milk on a kitchen counter next to a plate of chocolate chip cookies

    Ice-cold milk or oat milk

  • A mug of hot coffee with a cookie resting on a small plate beside it

    Hot coffee or a latte

  • A bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with warm chocolate chip cookie pieces

    Vanilla ice cream for cookie sundaes

  • A bowl of fresh strawberries and raspberries on a table

    Fresh berries to cut the sweetness

Storage Tips

Room temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Add a small slice of bread to the container if you want to keep them extra soft. The bread helps the cookies stay soft.

Freeze baked cookies: Cool completely, then freeze in a zip-top bag with parchment between layers for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp, or warm in a 300 F oven for 4 to 6 minutes.

Freeze cookie dough: Scoop dough into balls, freeze on a sheet until firm, then bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time.

Common Questions

Why do my cookies turn out flat?

Usually it is one of three things: butter was too warm or melted, the dough was not chilled in a warm kitchen, or your baking soda is old. Try chilling the scooped dough for 20 to 30 minutes, and make sure the butter is softened (it should indent when pressed) but not shiny and greasy.

How do I get them softer and more tender?

Do not overbake. Pull them when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look a little soft and pale. They finish cooking on the hot pan. Also, measure flour correctly (spoon and level) so you do not accidentally pack it in.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes. Reduce added salt to 1/2 teaspoon. The cookies will still taste balanced.

Do I really need to chill the dough?

Not always. If your kitchen is cool and your butter was properly softened, you can bake right away. If the dough feels sticky or your cookies spread too much, chill it. For deeper flavor, you can also refrigerate the dough (covered) for 24 to 48 hours, then scoop and bake.

What chocolate works best?

Semi-sweet is classic. For bigger melty pockets, use 1 cup chips plus 1/2 cup chopped bar chocolate. If you love a sweeter cookie, milk chocolate chips are great, just expect a softer set.

I wanted a culinary degree at VCU at first, but I ended up chasing the hands-on route instead, which basically means I learned by doing, messing up, tasting, and doing it again. Chocolate chip cookies were one of my earliest “okay, I can actually cook” moments. They are simple, but they punish you if you rush. Butter too warm, flour packed, cookies baked a minute too long, and suddenly you are holding a sad, dry disk.

This version is my relaxed kitchen friend take on the Toll House classic: same familiar flavor, just dialed in for that soft center you dream about when you smell cookies baking. Slightly chaotic, very reliable, and absolutely best eaten standing at the counter.