Basic Baking Chip Cookies
Chewy, delicious chip cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, ideal for cookie lovers and suitable for all ages craving a quick homemade treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened shortening ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup unsifted flour ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon soda ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon water ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1 cup chips (chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, butterscotch, etc.) ⓘ
- 1/2 cup nuts (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cream together softened shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and water; mix thoroughly.
- Gradually add unsifted flour, soda, and salt; mix until combined.
- Stir in chips and nuts if desired.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using half butter and half shortening. If you don't have shortening, butter can be used as a substitute, but it may result in slightly flatter cookies. To enhance the taste, add a pinch of cinnamon or replace some of the chocolate chips with butterscotch for a unique twist. Also, ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal rise.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect on their own but can be enhanced with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a fun twist, serve alongside a slice of Pink Party Rhubarb Pie for a delightful dessert spread. They also make great homemade gifts when packaged nicely in a jar or box.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven for a few minutes until soft.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basic Baking Chip Cookies contains roughly 180 calories, with 1g protein, 14g carbohydrates, and 13g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match your favorite chips, such as chocolate, peanut butter, or white chocolate. You can also experiment with adding dried fruits or toffee bits for added flavor and texture. Just make sure to keep the total amount of mix-ins around one cup.
What if I don't have nuts?
No worries! The nuts are optional in this recipe, so you can simply omit them or replace them with seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds. This keeps the cookies nut-free while still adding a nice crunch if you choose to include an alternative.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges turn golden brown, and the centers look slightly soft. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven, so it's better to take them out a bit early than to overbake. Keep an eye on them after the 8-minute mark.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).