Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies - The Cookin Chicks (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ULTIMATE chocolate chip cookie that has a crisp outside and chewy center! Simple to make, these may just be your new go to cookies to bake!

ULTIMATE Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried just about all the chocolate chip cookie recipes out there. I have tried the Tollhouse version, JoAnna Gaines’ recipe, and several others! Don’t get me wrong, I love those recipes, but I also love trying new variations too!

Lately, my go to cookie to make has been the JoAnna Gaine’s recipe from her cookbook. My mom got us hooked and since then, my kids request them frequently!

Last week, I was in the mood to make cookies. Originally, I had planned on playing around with a new double chocolate recipe, but when I realized I was low on cocoa powder, that decision quickly changed. I scanned through Pinterest, gathered lots of tips and ideas, and set out to experiment! I adapted the recipe from this one, click HERE!

These cookies came together in no time and were a HUGE hit! As in, my family was grabbing them from the cooling rack as I was removing them from the cookie sheet. In fact, I started panicking that I wouldn’t have any cookies left to take pictures of, so had to quickly tell them no more!

You may be wondering what the secret ingredient is, right?! No, its nothing crazy like mustard or some off the wall ingredient. But, I guarantee you won’t have guessed it. Ready?? It’s apple cider vinegar. Don’t scrunch your noses up and click out of the recipe just yet. Trust me, you won’t taste it. In fact, I PROMISE you won’t taste it! The apple cider vinegar is used to activate the baking soda, helping the dough to rise a bit.

This dough requires no chilling, so its literally ready to scoop in under ten minutes! A perfectly crisp outside, chewy inside, and lots of chocolate chips throughout. What more could you ask for, right?!

Why you’ll love this recipe

No Chilling Needed- my fav part, simply make the cookie dough, scoop onto the baking sheet, and bake! No need to chill!
Perfectly Soft and Chewy- perfectly golden bottoms, moist and chewy from top to bottom and the perfect balance of fluff and richness.
Just the right amount of chocolate- each and every bite has the perfect amount of chocolate chips to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth craving.
Quick and Easy- you can make this cookie dough in under 10 minutes, making satisfying that cookie craving quite easy.
Freezer Friendly- whether you bake once the dough is made, or freeze for later, this are just as good either way.

Ingredients Needed to make Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

*Full recipe card with amounts and directions at the bottom of this post

Flour- all-purpose
Baking Soda
Salt
Butter- unsalted, softened
Brown Sugar
Sugar
Vanilla- pure versus imitation
Apple Cider Vinegar
Eggs
Chocolate Chips- I use semi-sweet, any type works

How to make the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar using a mixer.
Add in the egg and mix until just combined.
Add in the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Using a cookie scoop, drop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Place cookie sheet in preheated oven and bake 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before moving to cooling rack.

Soft Chocolate Chips Cookies

Soft versus crispy cookies have been a debate around for many generations. To me, the choice is a simple one and always resorts in me picking soft. Something so mouthwatering about an ooey, gooey, melt in your mouth cookie that is loaded with chocolate chips.

Luckily, these cookies fit both varieties and include a nice and soft middle cookies, with a slight crispness to the outer edges. Win win for all!

How to store Chocolate Chip Cookies

Although fresh from the oven cookies are my FAV, you can also store these cookies in an airtight container/bag at room temperature up to 3 days.

Refrigerator- you can store these up to 5-7 days.

Freezer- once baked and cooled completely, place in a freezer safe container up to 3 months.

Tips for the best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Make sure you use brown sugar in addition to granulated sugar. A combination of the two sugars results in chewier cookies, while cookies made with only white sugar will be much crispier.
Don’t over-bake these cookies. The key is to take them out just before fully baked, so they stay ooey gooey good!
Swap out different chips to fit tastes. Dark, white, semi-sweet, peanut butter, and milk are all great options!
If you have refrigerated or frozen these, be sure to allow to return to room temperature OR microwave a bit to enjoy the melted chocolate throughout.
Don’t grab just one of these cookies, go in for at least two…or three. Yes, they are THAT good!
Use a cookie scoop to ensure each cookie is the correct size!

More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

Chocolate Brownie Cookies– Best Fudgey Chocolate Brownie Cookies are a one bowl wonder ready in minutes!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies– Big, thick, chewy, and soft and loaded with peanut butter and chocolate flavor. They are outrageously good!

Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms– A classic almost anyone will recognize. Yes, these peanut butter desserts are famous for their chewy REESE’S creamy peanut butter cookie base topped with HERSHEY’S KISSES milk chocolate candies, but it’s the taste that reminds us of all the special memories that come with these traditional holiday cookies.

Joanna Gaines’ Chocolate Chip Cookies– Soft, chewy, and packed with flavor

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies– Soft, chewy, and bursting with the delicious flavors of raspberry and chocolate. Sure to become a new favorite!

Print Recipe

3.77 from 120 votes

Easy Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crispy outside and chewy inside, these are wonderful chocolate chip cookies. You’ll never guess what’s in these Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time8 minutes mins

Total Time18 minutes mins

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups flour *all purpose
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter *slightly melted, but not fully liquid
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 egg
2 cups chocolate chips *I used 1 cup semi sweet, 1 cup dark chocolate chunks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar using a mixer.
Add in the egg and mix until just combined.
Add in the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Using a cookie scoop, drop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Place cookie sheet in preheated oven and bake 7-9 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before moving to cooling rack.

Notes

*Recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies

**Recipe adapted from: Dear Crissy

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

As an avid enthusiast in the realm of baking, particularly in crafting the perfect chocolate chip cookie, let me delve into the nuances of this intriguing Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. With a depth of knowledge accumulated through extensive experimentation and a genuine passion for the art of baking, I assure you that these cookies are a delightful blend of crispiness on the outside and chewiness within, making them a top-tier treat.

The unique twist in this recipe lies in the unexpected yet subtly transformative secret ingredient: apple cider vinegar. Now, before you dismiss it with skepticism, let me elucidate its role. Apple cider vinegar serves as a catalyst, activating the baking soda and aiding in the rising of the dough. Fear not, as its presence doesn't impose any discernible taste on the final product; it's merely a behind-the-scenes maestro ensuring the perfect texture.

Now, let's break down the key concepts and ingredients incorporated in this ULTIMATE Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe:

Ingredients:

Flour (2 cups): All-purpose flour forms the base of the cookie dough, providing structure and texture.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): A leavening agent that reacts with the apple cider vinegar to create a light and airy texture.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor profile by balancing the sweetness.
Butter (1 cup): Unsalted and slightly melted, contributing richness and moisture to the cookies.
Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds moisture, richness, and a hint of molasses flavor, resulting in chewier cookies.
Sugar (1/2 cup): Provides sweetness and also aids in the texture of the cookies.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses the dough with a warm and aromatic flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar (1 teaspoon): The secret ingredient that activates the baking soda for optimal rising.
Egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the structure of the cookies.
Chocolate Chips (2 cups): The star of the show, delivering pockets of gooey, melty chocolate in every bite.

Procedure:

Preheating the Oven (350 degrees): Ensures the cookies bake evenly.
Combining Dry Ingredients: Mixing flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl ensures even distribution in the dough.
Preparing Wet Ingredients: Creaming together butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar creates a luscious base.
Incorporating Egg: Adding the egg and mixing until just combined further binds the ingredients.
Combining Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually adding the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stirring until just combined ensures a uniform cookie dough.
Adding Chocolate Chips: Gently folding in the chocolate chips distributes them evenly throughout the dough.
Scooping and Baking: Using a cookie scoop to drop portions onto a sheet, then baking for 7-9 minutes, results in perfectly sized, golden cookies.
Cooling: Allowing the cookies to cool slightly on a rack ensures they set properly.

Additional Tips:

No Chilling Needed: The dough is ready to bake in under ten minutes, eliminating the need for chilling.
Soft and Chewy Texture: Achieved by the combination of ingredients and careful baking time.
Storage Options: Cookies can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or frozen for later enjoyment.
Versatility: Experiment with different chocolate chip variations for personalized flavor profiles.
Cookie Size Consistency: Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform size and consistent baking.

In conclusion, armed with this meticulously crafted recipe and insights into the art of cookie perfection, you're ready to embark on a delightful baking adventure. Happy baking!