Delightful Soft Golden Cookies (Print Version)

Soft, golden cookies with customizable mix-ins, perfect for sharing or snacking anytime.

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Optional Mix-ins

10 - 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
11 - 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans)
12 - 1/2 cup dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, raisins)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring thorough incorporation after each addition.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Fold in your choice of chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit gently to distribute evenly.
07 - Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each approximately 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They bake in under 15 minutes and the dough comes together in a bowl, no fancy equipment required.
  • You can throw in whatever you have on hand—chocolate, nuts, dried fruit—and they somehow always turn out golden and delicious.
  • Makes 24 cookies, which means there's usually enough to share and enough left for sneaking one with your morning coffee.
02 -
  • The underbaking thing is real—pull them out when the edges are set but the middles still jiggle slightly, and they'll be chewy instead of cakey.
  • If you forget to soften your butter, you can cut it into small pieces and let it sit in the sun for 10 minutes, or just embrace the slightly denser texture because they still taste great.
03 -
  • Invest in a cookie scoop; it makes portioning consistent so everything bakes evenly and looks professional.
  • Line your baking sheets with fresh parchment for each batch instead of reusing the same sheet, which helps with consistent browning.

Go Back