20 Chocolate Chip Cookies That Will Make You the Best Baker on the Block

Chocolate chip cookies are the one thing almost everyone has tried to bake at least once, and yet the search for the perfect recipe never really stops. These 20 chocolate chip cookies are the most saved, most pinned, and most talked-about recipes on Pinterest right now, and for good reason. Whether you want something thick and bakery-style, thin and crispy, stuffed with Nutella, or loaded with brown butter and sea salt, this list has it. I’ve noticed that the recipes people keep coming back to are the ones that look incredible and actually deliver on flavor — no complicated techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients. Every recipe here is beginner-friendly, visually stunning, and genuinely worth baking. Pick one, preheat your oven, and get ready to fill your kitchen with the best smell in the world.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Ideas

Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

The cookie everyone knows and loves. Soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, with melted pools of chocolate in every single bite. This is the recipe people go back to again and again because it never fails. Perfect for bake sales, after-school snacks, or just a Tuesday when you need something good.

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
3. Beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
5. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets and bake 9–11 minutes until edges are golden but centers look slightly underdone.
8. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving.

In my experience, pulling the cookies out when the center still looks a little underbaked is the single most important thing you can do. They firm up perfectly as they cool.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown butter changes everything. Toasting the butter before mixing it into the dough adds a deep nutty, almost caramel-like flavor that plain melted butter just can’t touch. These cookies have become one of the most saved recipes on Pinterest and once you taste them, you’ll understand why immediately.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chunks
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden and smells nutty, about 5–7 minutes. Pour into a large bowl and let cool 10 minutes.
2. Whisk brown sugar and granulated sugar into the cooled brown butter.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk vigorously for 2 minutes until the mixture looks thick and glossy.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chunks.
6. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.
7. Scoop onto lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
8. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top immediately after baking.

Levain Bakery Copycat Cookies

These are the cookies that broke the internet. Levain Bakery in New York City sells these thick, almost scone-like cookies for good money, and people line up around the block for them. This copycat recipe gets you the same enormous, barely-baked, chocolate-stuffed result at home for a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C). Use cold butter — this is important for the thick texture.
2. Beat cold butter and both sugars until just combined, about 1 minute. Don’t over-mix.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix briefly.
4. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt all at once and mix until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
6. Divide into 8 large balls (about 6 oz each) and place on lined baking sheets.
7. Bake for 9–11 minutes — tops should look barely done.
8. Cool on the pan for at least 15 minutes before eating.

A helpful trick is to use a kitchen scale here. Equal weight per cookie means even baking and that iconic uniform height.

Nutella Stuffed Cookies

Bite into one of these and warm Nutella pours out from the center. It sounds dramatic but it takes less effort than you’d think. The trick is freezing the Nutella ahead of time so it holds its shape during baking and melts perfectly when the cookie comes out of the oven.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• ½ cup Nutella, frozen in teaspoon portions

Instructions

1. The night before, drop teaspoon-sized portions of Nutella onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze overnight until solid.
2. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined, then fold in chocolate chips.
4. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
5. Scoop a ball of dough, press a frozen Nutella disk into the center, and seal the dough around it completely.
6. Place on lined baking sheets and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes.
7. Let cool 5 minutes before eating — the center will still be molten.

Crumbl Copycat Pink Sugar Cookies

Crumbl’s pink sugar cookie is one of the most searched cookie recipes on Pinterest every single week. The cookie itself is thick and soft like a cake, and the pink almond frosting on top is what makes it completely addictive. This copycat version tastes just like the original.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• For frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, ½ teaspoon almond extract, pink food coloring

Instructions

1. Beat butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
2. Add egg, almond extract, and sour cream and mix well.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
4. Scoop into large balls and press slightly flat on lined baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. Cookies should look pale on top.
6. Cool completely before frosting.
7. Beat frosting ingredients together until smooth and fluffy, add pink food coloring, and spread generously on each cookie.

Oreo Stuffed Cookies

An entire Oreo baked inside a chocolate chip cookie. The Oreo softens slightly in the oven and the cream filling melts into the dough just enough to add a distinct vanilla sweetness. Kids go absolutely wild for these, and honestly, adults do too.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 16 Oreo cookies (regular size)

Instructions

1. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined, then fold in chocolate chips.
3. Chill dough 30 minutes.
4. Scoop two tablespoons of dough, flatten one piece, place an Oreo in the center, top with the second piece, and seal edges completely.
5. Place on lined baking sheets.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes until golden.
7. Cool on pan for 10 minutes before serving.

I’ve noticed these are best eaten slightly warm when the Oreo filling is still a little soft inside.

Brookies (Brownie + Cookie)

Two of the best baked goods in one pan. Brookies combine a fudgy brownie layer with classic cookie dough baked on top, and you get both textures in every single bite. This is one of the most saved dessert recipes on Pinterest for good reason — it solves the impossible decision between brownies and cookies.

Ingredients

• Brownie layer: ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, ⅓ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup flour, ¼ teaspoon salt
• Cookie layer: ½ cup butter softened, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1¼ cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Make brownie layer: melt butter, stir in sugar, eggs, cocoa, flour, and salt until smooth. Spread into the pan.
3. Make cookie layer: beat butter and sugars, add egg and vanilla, stir in flour and baking soda, fold in chocolate chips.
4. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough on top of the brownie layer and spread gently.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips are a different kind of satisfying. The oats add chew and a subtle nuttiness that makes them feel more substantial than a plain cookie. They’re one of the most consistently saved cookie recipes on Pinterest because they feel slightly healthier and taste completely delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets.
2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
5. Mix in oats, then fold in chocolate chips.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft.
8. Cool on the pan 5 minutes before moving.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter and chocolate together in a soft, chewy cookie. The peanut butter gives the dough a richness that keeps every bite interesting, and the chocolate chips add just enough sweetness to balance the saltiness of the peanut butter. These disappear fast at any gathering.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Beat butter, peanut butter, and both sugars until light and creamy.
3. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Roll into balls, place on lined baking sheets, and press lightly with a fork.
7. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are set.
8. Cool 5 minutes on the pan before transferring.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

One giant cookie baked in a cast iron skillet and eaten straight from the pan with a spoon and ice cream on top. This is the most indulgent thing on this list and also one of the easiest. No scooping, no baking in batches — just press the dough into the pan and bake.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chocolate chips
• Vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet.
2. Whisk melted butter and both sugars together in a bowl.
3. Add egg and vanilla and stir well.
4. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Press dough evenly into the skillet.
7. Bake 20–25 minutes until edges are golden but center is still slightly jiggly.
8. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A helpful trick is to underbake it by 3–4 minutes if you want that molten center — it continues cooking in the hot pan after you take it out of the oven.

Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Cookies

Dark chocolate plus flaky sea salt is one of those flavor combinations that makes people stop mid-bite. These cookies are deeper and less sweet than a standard chocolate chip cookie, which makes them feel more sophisticated. They’re a strong Pinterest performer because they photograph beautifully and taste incredible.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1¼ cups dark chocolate chips, divided
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Melt butter and 1 cup chocolate chips together over low heat, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.
2. Whisk both sugars into the chocolate mixture.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
4. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips.
6. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
7. Scoop onto lined baking sheets and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream cheese in cookie dough sounds unusual until you eat one. It makes the texture incredibly soft and almost cake-like — the kind of cookie that melts on your tongue. These stay soft for days, which makes them one of the best options for baking ahead or gifting.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat butter and cream cheese together until completely smooth, about 2 minutes.
3. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy.
4. Mix in egg and vanilla.
5. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Chill dough for 1 hour — this step prevents spreading.
8. Scoop onto lined sheets and bake 11–13 minutes until just set on the edges.

I’ve noticed these look pale and underdone when you pull them out, but that’s exactly right. They firm up perfectly as they cool and stay soft for 4–5 days.

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Adding a box of instant pudding mix to cookie dough is the easiest upgrade most home bakers have never tried. It makes the cookies thicker, softer, and more flavorful, and they stay soft for almost a week. This trick is hugely popular on Pinterest for a reason.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat butter and both sugars until fluffy.
3. Add eggs, vanilla, and the dry pudding mix and beat until combined.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Scoop onto lined baking sheets.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until just golden on the edges.
8. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

All the flavor of a chocolate chip cookie without any scooping or rolling. Press the dough into a pan, bake it in one go, and cut into bars. This is the recipe people turn to when they want cookies fast and in large quantities — perfect for parties, potlucks, and school events.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment.
2. Whisk melted butter and both sugars until combined.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake 22–25 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool completely before cutting.

Thin and Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Not everyone wants a thick cakey cookie. Some people want thin, crispy, and almost lace-like edges with rich toffee flavor throughout. These cookies spread wide in the oven and come out with a satisfying snap that thick cookies simply can’t give you.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Whisk melted butter and sugar together until smooth.
3. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Drop small teaspoons of dough onto lined baking sheets, spacing them very far apart — they spread a lot.
7. Bake 10–13 minutes until completely golden and flat.
8. Cool on the pan until fully crisp before moving.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chips plus pockets of soft salted caramel in every bite. These are the kind of cookies that get passed around at a party and suddenly the plate is empty. The combination of sweet caramel and salt with the chocolate makes them taste far more complex than the ingredients suggest.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chocolate chips
• 16 soft caramel candies, halved
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt, then fold in chocolate chips.
3. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
4. Scoop a ball of dough, press a caramel piece in the center, and seal the dough around it.
5. Place on lined baking sheets and top with flaky sea salt.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes.
7. Cool on pan 10 minutes before eating — the caramel needs time to set slightly.

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies

No oven needed. These come together in under 15 minutes using oats, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips, and they taste like a cross between a cookie and an energy ball. They’re one of the most pinned no-bake recipes because they’re genuinely quick and require zero baking knowledge.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup natural peanut butter
• ⅓ cup honey
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
2. If the mixture feels too wet, add a few more tablespoons of oats.
3. Refrigerate the mixture for 20–30 minutes until firm enough to roll.
4. Roll into balls or press into rounds.
5. Place on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for another 30 minutes until set.
6. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

When regular chocolate chip cookies aren’t chocolatey enough. Double chocolate cookies use cocoa powder in the dough itself and then add chocolate chips on top, so every single bite is intensely chocolatey. These are consistently one of the most searched cookie recipes for anyone who takes their chocolate seriously.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Melt butter and ½ cup chocolate chips together over low heat. Cool slightly.
2. Whisk sugar into the chocolate mixture, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Fold in remaining chocolate chips and white chocolate chips.
5. Chill dough 20 minutes.
6. Scoop onto lined baking sheets.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–11 minutes until tops look cracked and set.
8. Cool 5 minutes on the pan.

Cookie Cake

A chocolate chip cookie the size of a cake, frosted with chocolate buttercream and decorated like a birthday cake. This is one of the most pinned party dessert ideas on Pinterest because it’s unexpected, fun, and so much easier than baking an actual layered cake.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups chocolate chips
• Frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-inch round pizza pan or cake pan.
2. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy, add egg and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, then fold in chocolate chips.
4. Press dough evenly into the greased pan.
5. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
6. Beat frosting ingredients together until smooth and pipe around the edges of the cookie.
7. Add sprinkles or any decorations before serving.

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

M&Ms instead of plain chocolate chips make these cookies colorful, fun, and immediately eye-catching. They’re especially popular for holidays and kids’ parties because you can match the M&M colors to any theme. The candy shell gives a slight crunch that regular chocolate chips don’t, which makes the texture more interesting.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup M&Ms
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and most of the M&Ms, saving a handful.
6. Scoop onto lined baking sheets and press reserved M&Ms on top for a colorful look.
7. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are golden.
8. Cool 5 minutes on the pan before moving.

Conclusion

There’s a reason chocolate chip cookies never go out of style the right recipe can turn a simple afternoon into something memorable. These 20 chocolate chip cookies cover everything from thick bakery-style giants to crispy thin wafers, stuffed treats, and no-bake options you can make in minutes. I’ve seen even the simplest cookie recipe from this list become someone’s go-to bake that they make on repeat for years. Save this post on Pinterest so you always have it when the craving hits, try one recipe this week, and share it with anyone who loves a really good homemade cookie. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing.