Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (2024)

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Soft, chewy, tender and filled with creamy chocolate – these milk chocolate chip cookies are perfection. The cookie dough has been designed so that the flavor doesn’t overpower the milkiness of the chocolate chips and so that the cookies turn out perfectly chewy every time. Grab your milk! Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (1)

I wanted to make a cookie recipe reminiscent of the cookies I gravitated towards as a child. The type of cookie that’s soft and chewy, thick enough to hold lots of chocolate chips – but thin enough that I can eat multiple cookies stacked on top of each other, buttery and sweet without being too rich, and filled with milk chocolate chips.

I know most professional bakers and chefs wouldn’t dream of baking cookies with milk chocolate chips because they feel the mellowness of the milk chocolate doesn’t offer enough contrast to buttery cookie dough. But as a child, I definitely wasn’t reaching for Ghirardelli or Lindt 70% dark chocolate and topping my cookies with sea salt flakes.

I wanted soft, buttery, tender milk chocolate chip cookies. And that is exactly what this recipe is.

Making Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok cookie lovers – let’s go through the basics.

Note that this recipe doesn’t require you to chill the cookie dough first, but I find about 30 minutes in the fridge gives slightly thicker cookies, which I enjoy.

  1. If you don’t plan on chilling the dough, start by preheating the oven to 350F (180C) and lining your cookie sheets with parchment or baking mats. I didn’t want the cookie edges to be too crispy for this recipe, which is why I chose to bake these cookies at 350F instead of 375F.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Adding a touch of cornstarch helps to keep these cookies soft. Note that it’s very important to measure the flour correctly – otherwise the cookies will be too thick and can end up dry. Always whisk first, then spoon into dry measuring cups and level off the top. Or for the most accurate results, weigh using a scale.
  3. Then in a large bowl, beat together the slightly softened butter, light brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamed. I prefer light brown sugar in this recipe (as opposed to dark brown sugar) because I found the dark brown sugar almost overpowered the milk chocolate. Yes – your cookies will still “work” if you use dark, I just definitely preferred light. Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (2)
  4. From there, beat the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. The egg should be room temperature for better mixing.
  5. Then mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. I like to always either do a few stirs by hand first, or be sure to start with the mixer on a low speed and beat about ½ of the dry ingredients in at a time. This is to prevent the flour from flying everywhere when you turn on the mixer. Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (3)
  6. Fold in the glorious milk chocolate chips. I like to do this by hand as I find using an electric mixer (depending on your beaters) can end up breaking up some of the chocolate chips.
  7. Form the dough into balls with about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of dough each. I used a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop and slightly overfilled it each time. Place the cookie dough balls about 1.5-2 inches apart on your lined cookie sheets. I always like to give my cookies lots of space so that the dough end up touching each other. Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (4)
  8. Then bake 1 sheet at a time in the middle of your oven. They’ll bake for about 9-11 minutes, or until the tops look just set. When the cookies are fresh out of the oven, I always place a few extra chips on the tops of each cookie to give the perfect cookie appearance.

Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (5)

Chilling and Freezing the Cookie Dough

The bowl of dough can be chilled in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Simply cover the bowl with plastic, and refrigerate. Then when ready to bake, preheat your oven and follow the baking directions. Note that if the dough is too firm to form into balls after being in the fridge, let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes first.

Cookie dough freezes beautifully – which means you can freeze the dough balls and have freshly baked cookies in no time, whenever you need your cookie fix. Simply make the dough as directed, then form the dough into balls. Place the balls in a freezer bag making sure to remove all the air and zip close. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready form warm, out of the oven cookies, preheat the oven and bake the cookie dough balls (from frozen) as directed. They’ll just need 1-2 extra minutes.

Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (6)

Soft, chewy and the perfect cookies for snacking – these milk chocolate chip cookies are made for milk! And if you’re looking for more chocolate chip cookie recipes, then be sure to try:

  • Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies – these are big, buttery, with crispy edges, gooey centers and a hint of salt
  • Double Chocolate Cookies
  • Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (7)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft, chewy, tender and filled with creamy chocolate - these milk chocolate chip cookies are perfection. The cookie dough has been designed so that the flavor doesn't overpower the milkiness of the chocolate chips and so that the cookies turn out perfectly chewy every time. Grab your milk!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies, Milk Chocolate Cookies

Servings: 20 cookies

Calories: 169kcal

Equipment

  • Cookie Sheets

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (208 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (112 grams) slightly softened, but not starting to melt
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (105 grams)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (180 grams)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

  • In a separate large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, light brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamed. You should no longer see clumps of butter.

  • Then beat the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until you no longer see pieces of egg.

  • Mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. I recommend doing this about ½ at a time, starting with the mixer on a low speed.

  • Fold the chocolate chips into the dough. I always fold in about ¾ cup and reserve about ¼ cup for dotting on the top of each cookie after the cookies are done baking.

  • Form the dough into balls with about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of dough each - they'll be a little smaller than a golf ball. I use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop. Place the dough balls about 1.5-2 inches apart on your lined cookie sheets.

  • Bake 1 sheet at a time in the middle of the preheated oven. Bake each sheet for about 9-11 minutes, or until the tops look just set. When you take the cookies out of the oven, optionally dot the top of each cookie with a few chocolate chips.

Notes

  1. Chilling the Dough: If you prefer thicker cookies, I recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 48 hours. Bake as directed.
  2. Nutrition: Details provided are an estimate only and based on 1 cookie, assuming the recipe yields 20 uniform cookies.
  3. Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Fresh cookies are always best.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

You Might Also Like:

  • Milk Chocolate Brownies
  • Easy Caramel Fudge - with Condensed Milk
  • Toffee Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Bakery Style Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (12)

About Fiona

I'm the baker and blogger behind Just So Tasty! I believe anyone can make tasty, homemade desserts and treats. I love classic recipes that are delicious (obviously), not too fussy, and use simple, everyday ingredients.

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Comments

  1. Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (13)Linds

    Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (14)
    I have a go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe that uses semi-sweet chocolate. I was in the baking mood, but we only had milk chocolate chips in the cabinet. I was too lazy to go to the store so I found your recipe and oh my goodness these are delicious! So quick and easy, too. 🙂 I ended up using salted butter cause that’s all we had on hand and they didn’t turn out too salty, either.

    These cookies will go FAST!
    Thank you!

    Reply

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Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies (2024)

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet cookies? ›

Some bakers prefer milk chocolate chips for melting as they are not known for holding their shape very well in cookies. Personally, I use a mix of milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips when I make cookies for my kids, since milk is too sweet for me and semi-sweet is too bitter for them.

Is milk chocolate good in cookies? ›

If you have a sweet tooth, use a milk chocolate that contains between 35% to 45% cacao. Milk chocolate is sweeter in flavor than dark chocolate, and will result in a much sweeter cookie. If you want to temper the sweetness of the milk chocolate, use half milk chocolate and half dark chocolate.

Why add milk to chocolate chip cookies? ›

Chocolate and milk both contain emulsifiers that let ingredients that usually wouldn't combine well, like cocoa butter and cocoa powder, mix together. The chemical reaction between the chocolate and the milk actually enhances both flavors. The milk also mellows out the cookie's sweetness.

Why are they called toll house cookies? ›

The Toll House Inn was an inn located in Whitman, Massachusetts, established in 1930 by Kenneth and Ruth Graves Wakefield. The Toll House chocolate chip cookies are named after the inn.

What happens if you use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet? ›

Both semisweet and milk chocolate consist of chocolate plus sugar, vanilla, and emulsifiers to keep them in bar or block form. Any solid chocolate (bittersweet, semisweet, or milk) can generally be swapped in and out in equal quantities. Just be ready for a slight difference in flavor.

Is it better to use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips? ›

If you're after a sweeter flavor, opt for milk or white chocolate, but if you want to break down the already sweet cookie dough, go for semisweet or dark chocolate.

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate in baking cookies? ›

You can replace some of the dark chocolate with the equivalent amount of milk chocolate if you like. It won't make it less rich but it will reduce the intensity of the flavour and colour.

What chocolate is best for chocolate chip cookies? ›

Semi-sweet chocolate, which is what the majority of recipes will call for, hovers around 50 to 60 percent cacao, meaning that while it is more complex than milk chocolate, it still errs on the sweeter side. Semisweet chocolate chips are a crowd-pleaser, especially if you are trying to cater to younger palates.

What is milk chocolate good for baking? ›

It'll take your cookie to the next level.

Milk chocolate pieces studding buttery cookie dough—it gives us shivers just thinking about it. The concentrated sweetness brings something new to the table in flavor as well as crunchy texture if you're working with candy-coated milk chocolate pieces.

What does butter do in cookies? ›

The job of butter in baking (besides being delicious) is to give richness, tenderness and structure to cookies, cakes, pies and pastries. We alter the way butter works in a recipe by changing its temperature and choosing when to combine it with the other ingredients.

What does adding more brown sugar to cookies do? ›

Brown sugar, meanwhile, is dense and compacts easily, creating fewer air pockets during creaming—that means that there's less opportunity to entrap gas, creating cookies that rise less and spread more. With less moisture escaping via steam, they also stay moist and chewy.

What makes chocolate chip cookies taste so good? ›

The caramelized butter, sugar, vanilla, chocolate, and subtle notes of salt offer a balanced flavor profile. The saltiness highlights and enhances the preexisting flavors. But what makes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie? You get what you pay for, and high-quality ingredients equate to a high-quality product.

Is it OK to eat Nestle Toll House cookie dough? ›

We recommend enjoying our Edible Cookie Dough as is! However, other fun ideas could be to add it to your ice cream or spread it on your freshly baked brownies! Why can't I eat your regular Toll House Cookie Dough raw? Our refrigerated cookie dough is not formulated to be consumed raw and must be baked before eating.

Why is it called Magic cookies? ›

Typically used in Unix systems, a magic cookie may be an identification token or password that activates a function. The "magic" implies some obscure data known only to the software and not the user. The Web cookie term was coined after magic cookie.

What was Ruth Wakefield's chocolate chip cookie recipe? ›

Ruth Graves Wakefield's Original Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
  1. 1 cup butter, softened.
  2. ¾ cup brown sugar.
  3. ¾ cup granulated sugar.
  4. 2 large eggs.
  5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  6. 1 teaspoon baking soda.
  7. 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour.
  8. 1 teaspoon salt.
Feb 18, 2024

What can I use if I don't have semi-sweet chocolate chips? ›

Other Semisweet Chocolate Substitutions

If unsweetened baking chocolate is in the pantry, you can combine it with some sugar. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar per 1 ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate and substitute it ounce-for-ounce for the semisweet baking chocolate. You won't need any added butter or oil.

Do chocolate chips melt in cookies? ›

However, the chocolate will still melt in the oven. The chocolate chips in your cookies are simply held in shape by the surrounding cookie mixture. When the cookies cool, the chips solidify again, so it looks as if they never melted.

Can you use milk chocolate in baking? ›

It'll take your cookie to the next level.

Milk chocolate pieces studding buttery cookie dough—it gives us shivers just thinking about it. The concentrated sweetness brings something new to the table in flavor as well as crunchy texture if you're working with candy-coated milk chocolate pieces.

What is the difference between milk chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips? ›

Dark chocolate contains much more cacao than milk chocolate. Dark chocolates can contain about 50-90% cacao, while milk chocolates only contain 10-50% cacao. The difference in the percentage of cacao accounts for the taste in both. Dark chocolate is typically more bitter than sweet-tasting milk chocolate.

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