Description

These big, soft chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. With a rich buttery flavor, a hint of vanilla and apple cider vinegar for moisture and tenderness, and a delightful sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top, these cookies deliver a perfect balance of sweet and salty with each bite. Ideal for sharing or indulging in a comforting dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup butter, barely melted but not too hot
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
⅔ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 large egg

Add-ins

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (half chips and half chunks recommended but any mix is fine)
Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well mixed; set this aside for later.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the barely melted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar together until smooth and creamy.
Add Egg: Beat in the large egg just until it is combined with the wet mixture to maintain a tender cookie texture.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and chunks evenly throughout the dough.
Scoop Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop (about 2 rounded tablespoons), drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Look for light brown edges and a slightly underdone center as a sign of perfect doneness.
Add Sea Salt: Right after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle each cookie lightly with coarse sea salt to enhance flavor.
Cool: Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to set before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

You can use a medium cookie scoop instead if you want smaller, regular-sized cookies.
Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep your cookies soft and tender.
Butter should be barely melted to keep the dough cohesive but not greasy.
Sprinkling sea salt while the cookies are hot creates a nice flavor contrast and makes them more irresistible.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: big chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chip cookies, soft cookies, homemade cookies, classic dessert