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

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

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.

Cookie Dough can be Frozen for up to 3 Months: Scoop the dough into balls, let set on a baking sheet in the freezer, then place in a sealed bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.)

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!