Neighbor Judy’s Chocolate Chip Cookies 🍪 – Puffy, Chewy, and Perfect Every Time

If you’re tired of flat, spread-out chocolate chip cookies that don’t match the nostalgic ones you remember from childhood, you’re not alone. The secret to the perfect puffy, chewy chocolate chip cookie might just lie in a few simple adjustments—and my neighbor Judy has cracked the code!

This Neighbor Judy’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe skips the white sugar entirely, uses only brown sugar for that rich, caramelized flavor, and relies on softened (not melted) butter to keep everything thick, chewy, and soft. These cookies bake up golden with just a hint of crispness around the edges—and stay deliciously soft in the center. Let’s make a batch together!

🛒 Ingredients

1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened (not melted)
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 bag (about 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cream the Butter and Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the Wet Ingredients:

Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Combine the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.

Add the Chocolate Chips:

Fold in the entire bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Bake the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Drop the cookie dough by rounded teaspoons (or larger if you prefer!) onto an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8–9 minutes, until the tops are just starting to turn lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

📋 Quick Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 8–9 minutes per batch
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Yield: About 3 dozen cookies, depending on size

🌟 Why You’ll Love Neighbor Judy’s Cookies

No white sugar: All brown sugar creates deeper flavor and extra chewiness.
Soft, not flat: Using softened butter instead of melted keeps the dough from spreading too much.
Simple and classic: No fancy tricks—just delicious, honest-to-goodness homemade cookies.
Perfect for gifting: These cookies hold their shape and texture beautifully, making them great for cookie swaps and care packages.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips for the Best Puffy Cookies

Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not oily or melted for best creaming.
Don’t overbake: Cookies will continue to set after removing from the oven. They should look slightly underbaked in the center when you pull them out.
Chill the dough (optional): If you want even puffier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
High-quality chocolate: Use good-quality semi-sweet chips or even chopped chocolate chunks for an extra luxurious bite.

🧠 FAQs

Can I substitute butter with margarine? For best results and flavor, stick to real butter. Margarine has more water, which could cause flat cookies.

Can I add nuts? Absolutely! Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans if you like extra crunch.

Can I freeze the dough? Yes! Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

Why no white sugar? Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness while helping the cookies stay thicker and richer in flavor.

How do I keep cookies soft after baking? Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft for days!

🍪 Related Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

💬 Conclusion: The Best Puffy Chocolate Chip Cookies 🍪✨

Neighbor Judy’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect solution for anyone craving chewy, puffy cookies with rich chocolate flavor and none of the disappointment of flat, oily spreads. This is a simple, foolproof, back-to-basics recipe that proves you don’t need anything fancy to create the most comforting, homemade cookies. Bake a batch today—you’ll be hooked at first bite!

✨ Must express something to keep getting my recipes… Thank you! ❤️

Neighbor Judy s Chocolate Chip Cookies