Name: The Best Chocolate Cookies – Simple & Soft
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1¼ cups all‑purpose flour; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup butter, softened; ¼ cup granulated (white) sugar; ¼ cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

I love these thick, soft, and beautifully chocolatey cookies. They bake up tender and moist with just the right amount of chew—no chilling, no fuss, and perfect for satisfying cozy cravings in about 30 minutes.

The Best Chocolate Cookies – Simple & Soft

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I keep coming back to this recipe because it’s quick, reliable, and yields bakery-quality cookies without complicated steps. The cocoa powder gives them a rich chocolate flavor, while the mix of white and brown sugar adds depth and softness. I also love that there’s no dough chilling required—just mix, bake, and enjoy.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat softened butter with both sugars for 1–2 minutes until creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined.
Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
Shape the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each for around 15 cookies) and place them an inch apart on the baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your palm.
Bake for 10–11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 15 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: not specified

Variations

I sometimes mix in chocolate chips for extra bursts of chocolate.
Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add a crunchy contrast.
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking makes them extra gourmet.
I’ve swapped half the cocoa powder for hot cocoa mix for a sweeter, lighter chocolate flavor.

storage/reheating

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To refresh them, I microwave a cookie for about 8 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes—I portion the dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. I bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

2. Can I make them chewier?

Using more brown sugar than white sugar will create a chewier texture.

3. Can I make them ahead?

Absolutely—either store the dough in the fridge for up to 2 days or bake and store the cookies for a few days.

4. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, these scale up perfectly for bake sales or parties.

5. Why are my cookies dry?

They may have been overbaked—pull them from the oven while the centers still look soft.

Conclusion

These Simple & Soft Chocolate Cookies are one of my favorite quick bakes. With their rich cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and no-fuss preparation, they’re perfect for satisfying a chocolate craving in under half an hour. I make them for everything from afternoon treats to last-minute dessert requests, and they always disappear fast.