The Very Best Chocolate Cookies

 Here’s a recipe for The Very Best Chocolate Cookies—rich, chewy, and full of decadent chocolate flavor!

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Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of chocolate chunks and chips)

1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate (optional, for extra richness)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, mixing until well combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

4. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Fold in Chocolate Chips:

Gently fold in the chocolate chips and optional chopped dark chocolate until evenly distributed.

6. Form the Cookies:

Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.

7. Bake:

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

8. Cool and Serve:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips:

For extra chewiness: Let the dough chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.

Customize: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch if you like.

These Very Best Chocolate Cookies are the perfect balance of c

rispy edges and chewy centers, with an overload of chocolate goodness. Enjoy!