Easy and Delicious Homemade Cookie Recipes
The best homemade cookie recipes: soft, crispy and irresistible
Imagine a small American coffee shop in 1938, run by Ruth Wakefield , a passionate baker who wanted to surprise her customers. She had prepared her usual cookies, but added a few pieces of chocolate to the dough … and that's how the very first American cookie was born! These soft and delicious cookies quickly conquered the United States, then the world. Today, the cookie has become a symbol of simple, comforting pleasure , a treat everyone loves to share.
Ruth Wakefield
Who can resist the smell of freshly baked cookies? These little golden biscuits, sometimes crispy, sometimes chewy, are among the most searched recipes on Google. Whether you're a lover of intense dark chocolate, a sweet tooth looking for ultra-soft cookies, or a fan of quick and easy recipes, you'll find your baking bliss here.
In this article, we present the 5 most popular homemade cookie recipes , along with chef's tips, practical advice, and variations for all tastes. With our recipes, you can make cookies like a true pro, right in your own kitchen.
Recipe #1: Soft American Chocolate Chip Cookies
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Proteins | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Lipids | 10 g |
| Fibers | 1 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
Difficulty level: Easy
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Serves: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 250 g of flour
- 125g of soft unsalted butter
- 100g of brown sugar
- 50g of white sugar
- 1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 200g of dark or milk chocolate chips
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (conventional heat).
- In a bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar and white sugar until you obtain a mousse-like texture.
- Add the whole egg, the yolk and the vanilla extract, mix well.
- In a separate container, mix the flour, yeast and salt, then incorporate into the previous mixture.
- Add the chocolate chips and mix with a spatula.
- Form balls of dough and place them on a non-stick baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes: the edges should be golden brown and the center slightly soft.
Tips
- Let the dough rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator for even softer cookies.
- Vary the recipe with nuts, almonds or white chocolate.
- Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- For perfect cooking, use a digital scale to weigh your ingredients.
Recipe #2: Subway-style Crispy Cookies
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 kcal |
| Proteins | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Lipids | 9 g |
| Fibers | 1 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
Difficulty level: Easy
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
Serves: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 200 g of flour
- 120g of melted butter
- 80g of brown sugar
- 80g of white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 pinch of salt
- 150g of chocolate chips
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Mix the melted butter with the sugars.
- Add the egg and vanilla.
- Incorporate the flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add the chocolate chips.
- Form balls and space them out on the tray.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes to achieve a crispy exterior and a soft interior.
Tips
- Do not overcook to keep the center soft.
- You can add pecans for extra crunch.
Recipe #3: Butter-free (healthy) cookies
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Proteins | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Lipids | 6 g |
| Fibers | 2 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
Difficulty level: Easy
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
For: 10 cookies
Ingredients
- 200g of wholemeal flour
- 80g of coconut oil or applesauce
- 80g of coconut sugar or honey
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 150g of dark chocolate chips
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Mix the coconut oil with the sugar or honey.
- Add the egg and vanilla.
- Incorporate the flour and yeast.
- Add the chocolate chips.
- Form into balls and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Cook for 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
Tips
- Vegan variation: replace the egg with a mashed banana.
- For added texture, add oat flakes or chopped nuts.
Recipe #4: Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 kcal |
| Proteins | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Lipids | 8 g |
| Fibers | 2 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
Difficulty level: Easy
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Serves: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 150 g of flour
- 100g of oat flakes
- 100g of soft butter
- 100g of brown sugar
- 50g of white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 150g of chocolate chips
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Cream the butter with the sugars.
- Add the egg and mix.
- Incorporate the flour, yeast, salt and oat flakes.
- Add the chocolate chips.
- Form into balls and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Cook for 12 minutes.
Tips
- For extra softness, let the dough rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Add raisins or nuts for variety.
Recipe #5: Cookies with a melting Nutella center
| Nutrient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Proteins | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Lipids | 13 g |
| Fibers | 1 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
Difficulty level: Medium
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
For: 10 cookies
Ingredients
- 200 g of flour
- 100g of soft butter
- 80g of brown sugar
- 50g of white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- Nutella (1 teaspoon per cookie)
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Cream the butter with the sugars.
- Add the egg and mix.
- Incorporate the flour, yeast and salt.
- Form into balls, flatten slightly and place 1 spoonful of Nutella in the center.
- Gently close the pastry around the Nutella and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Tips
- To prevent the Nutella from dripping too much, freeze the spoonful of Nutella for 10 minutes before inserting it.
- Serve warm for a perfectly gooey center.
General tips for perfect cookies
- Use quality butter and let it soften at room temperature.
- Brown sugar adds softness and a caramelized taste.
- Let the dough rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to develop the flavors.
- Do not overcook: the cookies continue to cook after being removed from the oven.
- Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Mistakes to avoid when baking perfect homemade cookies
Even the best pastry chefs sometimes make simple mistakes that can ruin a batch of cookies. Here are the main ones to avoid:
-
Not respecting the ingredient proportions
Too much flour, too much butter or too much sugar can change the texture: cookies that are too dry, too soft or that spread too much. -
Do not let the dough rest
Dough that hasn't rested in the refrigerator results in less flavorful and flatter cookies. Letting it rest for 30 minutes is often sufficient. -
Overbake the cookies
The cookies will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven. Overcooking them will make them dry and crumbly. -
Use melted butter instead of softened butter
Melted butter makes the dough too runny and the cookies spread out. Use butter at room temperature instead. -
Do not space the cookies out on the baking sheet
The dough spreads during baking. If the balls are too close together, they will stick together and lose their shape. -
Ignoring the quality of the chocolate
Poor-quality chocolate chips or pieces can alter the taste and texture. Choose pure cocoa butter chocolate for best results. -
Forget about variations or additions
Not personalizing the recipe with nuts, dried fruit, or spices can make your cookies less original. Variations add flavor and texture. -
Poor storage
Leaving cookies exposed to the air or in a non-airtight container will cause them to harden quickly. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Conclusion
With these 5 recipes, you're ready to become the king or queen of homemade cookies! Whether you prefer soft, crispy, healthy, or melt-in-your-mouth Nutella cookies, there's a recipe for every occasion. Feel free to vary the ingredients and try different combinations to find your perfect cookie.
To make these recipes, equip yourself with your essential kitchen utensils:
- Non-stick baking tray
- Silicone spatula
- Digital kitchen scale
- Measuring spoons
- And discover our other baking products: Baking utensils .
Blog articles to read as well
- Raw Cookie Dough: 5 Quick and Healthy Recipes | Chef's Tool
- Raw cakes: recipes, tips and utensils | Chef's utensil
- Pancake Batter: 5 Fail-Proof Recipes to Try | Chef's Utensil
Useful links
- Marmiton – Homemade Cookies
- 750g – Cookie Recipes
- Wikipedia – History of the cookie
- Nutrition article – Cookies and sugar
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about homemade cookies
1. What is the best easy homemade cookie recipe?
The simplest recipe remains American chocolate chip cookies. With 10 minutes of preparation and 12 minutes of baking, you get soft and delicious cookies.
2. How can I make my cookies softer?
The secret is to use brown sugar, not to overcook the cookies, and to let the dough rest in the refrigerator before baking.
3. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Often, this is because the dough is too warm or too soft. Freeze the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help it retain its shape.
4. Can I prepare the cookie dough the day before?
Yes, dough that has rested in the fridge develops more flavor and makes even tastier cookies.
5. What is the ideal temperature for baking cookies?
180°C is perfect for baking cookies evenly without burning the edges.
6. How to make cookies without butter?
Replace the butter with coconut oil, applesauce, or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
7. Can sugar be replaced with honey?
Yes, but the cookies will be softer and slightly sticky. Use approximately 80g of honey for every 100g of sugar.
8. Soft or crispy cookies: what's the difference?
The cooking time and type of sugar influence the texture. Less time = soft, more time = crispy.
9. Can I freeze the raw dough?
Yes, form into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer bag. Bake directly in the oven for 2 minutes.
10. What are the basic ingredients for making successful cookies?
Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, chocolate or other topping.
11. Which flour should I use?
Use T45 or T55 flour. For a rustic version, mix with wholemeal or oat flour.
12. How do I get Subway-style cookies?
Use melted butter, brown and white sugar, and cook for only 9 minutes to keep the center soft.
13. What is the origin of cookies?
Invented in 1938 by Ruth Wakefield in the United States, with pieces of chocolate added to her biscuits.
14. How to make gluten-free cookies?
Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend or certified almond/oat flour.
15. Tip for perfect cookies?
Let the dough rest, use good quality chocolate, and don't overbake. The cookies should be golden brown around the edges and slightly soft in the center.