Some cookies never go out of style, and the classic Toll House Cookie is one of them. With a delicious combination of butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips, these homemade chocolate chip cookies bring the familiar taste of a traditional bakery-style treat right into your kitchen.
This Toll House Cookie Recipe is a simple drop-cookie recipe that doesn’t require complicated techniques or special equipment. The dough comes together with an electric mixer and a few basic baking ingredients. Once prepared, the cookies are scooped onto a baking sheet and baked until their edges begin to turn golden brown.
One of the best things about this recipe is how straightforward it is. With just 15 minutes of preparation and around 8–10 minutes of baking, you can make a batch of 48 cookies. You can also chill the dough before baking to follow the recommended preparation method or use the alternative ingredient quantities provided in the recipe for the original version.
Why You’ll Love This Toll House Cookie Recipe
There are plenty of reasons why this classic chocolate chip cookie recipe deserves a place in your baking collection.
- Classic chocolate chip flavor: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are combined with a sweet, buttery cookie dough.
- Simple preparation: The recipe uses basic ingredients and an easy mixing method.
- Makes 48 cookies: It’s a generous batch that gives you plenty of cookies to enjoy.
- Easy drop-cookie method: There’s no complicated shaping involved. Simply scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons.
- Flexible chocolate options: Although Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips are recommended, other types of chocolate chips can also be used.
Toll House Cookie Recipe Details
Before getting started, here’s a quick overview of the recipe, including its preparation and baking times.
| Recipe Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recipe Name | Toll House Cookie Recipe |
| Course | Dessert |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 9 minutes |
| Total Time | 24 minutes |
| Servings | 48 cookies |
| Oven Temperature | 375°F |
Ingredients for Toll House Cookies
You only need a handful of baking ingredients to prepare these traditional chocolate chip cookies. Each ingredient plays a part in creating the cookie dough and bringing all the flavors together.
Here is the complete ingredient list with the exact quantities.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Forms the main structure of the cookies.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda: Combined with the flour during preparation.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Added to the dry ingredients.
Butter and Sugars
- ½ cup butter: Softened before mixing. Salted or unsalted butter can be used.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the cookie dough.
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar: Combined with the butter and granulated sugar.
Other Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Mixed into the butter and sugar mixture.
- 2 large eggs: Added individually to the wet ingredients.
- 2 cups Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Mixed into the dough. Other chocolate chips can also be used.
How to Make Toll House Cookies Step by Step
Making these classic chocolate chip cookies is easy when you follow the steps in the correct order. From mixing the butter and sugars to chilling and baking the dough, here’s how to prepare the recipe.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F.
This is the temperature required for baking the cookies. While preparing the dough, you can also organize your ingredients and mixing equipment so everything is ready.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Sugars, and Vanilla
Take a large mixing bowl and add the softened butter, granulated sugar, packed dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Continue mixing until the butter and sugars form a smooth, blended mixture. Make sure the ingredients are properly incorporated before moving on to the eggs.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Once the butter, sugars, and vanilla are combined, add the eggs.
Add them one at a time, mixing after each addition. This allows each egg to become incorporated into the mixture before adding the next one.
Continue until both eggs are mixed into the dough.
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to incorporate the flour and other dry ingredients.
Add half of the all-purpose flour to the mixing bowl, along with all the baking soda and salt.
Instead of using the electric mixer for this step, mix the ingredients by hand until they begin to combine.
Next, add the remaining flour and continue mixing until the flour is incorporated into the dough.
Step 5: Mix in the Chocolate Chips
Once the flour has been added, pour in the 2 cups of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.
Mix them into the dough until they are distributed throughout.
The recipe specifically uses semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use other chocolate chips if you prefer a different option.
Step 6: Chill the Cookie Dough
After preparing the dough, cover the mixing bowl and place it in the refrigerator.
For the recommended method, chill the dough for at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
This chilling step is included in the recipe as a recommended part of the preparation process.
When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F if you haven’t already done so.
Step 7: Scoop the Dough onto a Baking Sheet
Take the chilled cookie dough and prepare an ungreased baking sheet.
Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough into rounded portions and place them onto the baking sheet.
Leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie. This spacing helps keep the cookies from crowding one another as they bake.
Continue arranging the dough portions until the baking sheet is ready for the oven.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven at 375°F.
Bake for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the cookies are starting to turn golden brown.
Keep an eye on their appearance as they bake. The recipe uses the golden-brown edges as the visual sign that the cookies are ready to come out of the oven.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Once the cookies are baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
Place the baking sheet on a wire cooling rack and allow the cookies to cool for approximately 2 minutes.
After this short cooling period, use a spatula to transfer the cookies from the baking sheet onto the wire cooling racks.
Allow them to cool completely before storing or serving.

Step 10: Store Properly
Once the cookies have cooled completely, place them in a tightly covered container.
Keeping them covered is the storage instruction provided in the original recipe.
Your homemade Toll House Cookies are now ready to enjoy!
Tips and Variations for Toll House Cookies
The recipe includes a few useful options that allow you to adjust the ingredients and preparation method.
Choose Salted or Unsalted Butter
You can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe. The ingredient list allows both options, so you can work with whichever type you have available.
Just make sure the butter is softened before mixing it with the sugars and vanilla.
Try Different Chocolate Chips
Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips are used in the main recipe, but other chocolate chips can also be substituted.
This gives you some flexibility when choosing the chocolate for your homemade cookies.
Don’t Chill the Dough for More Than 24 Hours
If you’re following the recommended chilled-dough method, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least one hour.
The recipe specifies that the dough should not be chilled for more than 24 hours.
Alternative Ingredient Amounts for the Original Recipe
The recipe also provides a different set of ingredient quantities for making the original version.
If you want to follow that version, use these measurements:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
All the other ingredients remain the same as the main recipe.
One important difference is that the original version does not require chilling the dough.
Serving Suggestions
Once your Toll House Cookies have cooled completely, they’re ready to serve.
Their chocolate chips and classic cookie flavor make them a lovely homemade dessert to share. You can arrange them on a serving plate and enjoy them as a simple sweet treat.
Because the recipe makes 48 cookies, it is also suitable when you want to prepare a larger batch rather than making just a few cookies.
You can follow the chilling method and bake the cookies after refrigerating the dough, or choose the original version that does not require chilling.
You might like: Mermaid Funfetti Cookies
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes! The recipe specifically states that either salted or unsalted butter can be used.
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?
The recommended method includes chilling the dough for at least one hour and no more than 24 hours. However, the alternative original recipe provided in the notes does not require chilling.
How long should I bake Toll House Cookies?
Bake the cookies at 375°F for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until they start turning golden brown.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 48 cookies.
Can I use different chocolate chips?
Yes. Although the recipe calls for Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, other chocolate chips can also be used.
Final Thoughts
This classic Toll House Cookie Recipe is a wonderful choice when you’re craving homemade chocolate chip cookies. With simple ingredients, an easy drop-cookie preparation method, and a generous batch of 48 cookies, it’s a recipe you can return to whenever you want a familiar homemade dessert.

