Neighbor Judy’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are thick, soft, and packed with rich flavor thanks to the all-brown-sugar approach—no white sugar here! They have slightly crispy edges, a chewy center, and melty chocolate in every bite. If you’ve struggled with cookies that spread too much, this recipe solves that problem while keeping them irresistibly soft.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ No white sugar – Brown sugar adds moisture, depth, and chewiness.
✔ No Crisco – Just butter! – For a rich, classic cookie flavor.
✔ No need for fancy ingredients – Simple pantry staples create bakery-quality cookies.
✔ Soft & chewy perfection – With a slight crisp on the edges.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or salted, if preferred)
2 cups light brown sugar, packed (this adds deep caramel-like flavor!)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for structure and chewiness)
1 teaspoon baking soda (helps the cookies rise)
½ teaspoon fine sea salt (enhances flavor and balances sweetness)

Mix-Ins:

1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or use milk, dark, or a mix!)

Step-By-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

2️⃣ Cream the Butter & Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This step is key! It helps aerate the dough, creating a better texture.

💡 Tip: Use a hand or stand mixer for the best results. If mixing by hand, beat vigorously with a wooden spoon.

3️⃣ Mix in the Eggs & Vanilla:

Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.

4️⃣ Combine the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing can lead to dense cookies.

5️⃣ Add the Chocolate Chips:

Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. If you love extra chocolate, toss in an extra ¼ cup!

💡 Tip: For a twist, mix in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.

6️⃣ Scoop & Shape the Cookies:

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop 1-inch balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want thicker, bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This prevents excessive spreading and intensifies flavor.

7️⃣ Bake to Perfection:

Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 8-9 minutes.

✔ For soft & chewy cookies: Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
✔ For crispier cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown all over.

8️⃣ Let Them Set:

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps them finish baking from the residual heat.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—or enjoy warm for gooey chocolate!

Baking Tips for the Best Cookies

✔ Chilling the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour deepens flavor and prevents spreading.
✔ Using High-Quality Ingredients: Real butter, fresh eggs, and good chocolate make a huge difference!
✔ Measuring Flour Correctly: Too much flour can make cookies dry. Always spoon & level flour instead of scooping.
✔ For an Extra Flavor Boost: Try adding ½ teaspoon cinnamon or browning the butter before mixing.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Storing Baked Cookies:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, add a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will absorb the moisture!

Freezing Cookie Dough:

✔ Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
✔ Transfer to a zip-top bag, removing excess air, and store for up to 3 months.
✔ To bake from frozen, add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Variations & Add-Ins

Love experimenting? Here are some fun twists on the classic!

✔ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Swap ½ cup of butter for ½ cup peanut butter.
✔ Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Add 1 cup rolled oats for a heartier texture.
✔ Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Cookies – Use dark chocolate chips and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.
✔ White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies – Substitute white chocolate chips and add ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts.

Final Thoughts

Neighbor Judy’s cookies are truly foolproof, soft, and full of flavor! Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or save some dough for later, these cookies will quickly become a household favorite.

Happy baking! 🍪✨