Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Craving a perfect blend of sweet and salty? These Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver rich, buttery goodness with gooey chocolate and a hint of flaky sea salt. Plus, with easy storage options, you can always have a batch ready to enjoy.

So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to bake a treat that’s sure to become a household favorite!

Ingredients List

Creating Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies requires a few essential ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Here’s everything you need:

Cookie Dough Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon table salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups (about 18 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
• Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon sea salt flakes, for finishing)

Required Kitchen Tools

For a smooth baking process, gather these essential kitchen tools:

1. Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – Helps cream butter and sugar for a perfect dough texture.
2. Mixing Bowls – One large bowl for wet ingredients and a medium bowl for dry ingredients.
3. Baking Sheets – Line them with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy baking.
4. Cookie Scoop – Ensures uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
5. Wire Cooling Racks – Prevents cookies from overcooking on the baking sheet.
6. Measuring Cups and Spoons – Accuracy is key for perfect cookies.

Dough Preparation

Achieving the perfect cookie texture starts with properly mixing and preparing the dough. Follow these steps for the best results:

Mixing the Ingredients

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk or sift together the flour, baking soda, and table salt. Set aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
   In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or the paddle attachment on a stand mixer to cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fully combined. This step ensures a rich and chewy texture.
3. Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until the dough becomes light and fluffy.
4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
   Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft and tender.
5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips
   Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Shaping and Baking the Cookies

Now that your dough is ready, it’s time to shape and bake the cookies to perfection. Follow these steps for the best results:

Shaping the Dough

1. Preheat the Oven
   Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Portion the Dough
   Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows enough room for the cookies to spread while baking.
3. Add Extra Chocolate Chips (Optional)
   For a bakery-style look, press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each dough ball before baking.

Baking Process

1. Bake the Cookies
   Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown while the centers remain soft.
2. Add Flaky Sea Salt
   While the cookies are still warm, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie. The warmth helps the salt slightly melt into the surface, enhancing the flavor.
3. Cool the Cookies
   Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Serving and Storage

Now that your cookies are baked to perfection, let’s talk about how to serve and store them to keep them fresh and delicious.

Serving Suggestions

Salted chocolate chip cookies are best enjoyed warm, with the chocolate still slightly melted. Here are some ways to serve them:

• Classic Style: Enjoy them on their own with a glass of cold milk.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Place a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat.
• Coffee Pairing: These cookies taste amazing with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a warm latte.

How to Store Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

To keep your cookies fresh and chewy, follow these storage tips:

1. Room Temperature Storage
   • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
   • They stay fresh for 3-4 days before they start to lose their softness.
2. Freezing the Cookies
   • Place cooled cookies in a ziplock bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
   • When ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.
3. Freezing Cookie Dough
   • Scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
   • Transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
   • To bake from frozen, add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Conclusion

These Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a chewy center and crisp edges. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or freeze them for later—these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can bake up a batch of these irresistible treats anytime!