Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies

RecipesSeasonal

Dec 4

published December 4, 2018; updated November 2025

Nothing says it’s the holidays to me more than my grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe! These cookies are truly the simplest chocolate chip cookies—puffy, soft, and bite-sized, making them perfect for little hands, Christmas cookie boards, or, of course, a plate of cookies and milk for Santa (something we do every year!).

These cookies have a little less sugar than your typical chocolate chip cookie, which gives them that soft texture—and honestly, I appreciate the lighter sweetness. Sweets are definitely not in short supply during the holiday season!

Back in the day, my grandma always used the classic Nestle chocolate chips, but over the years my mom and I upgraded them to Ghirardelli—our favorite chocolate for both snacking and baking. You can use any chocolate chips you like, though!

They are also the easiest to make with little bakers! Since my boys were about 18 months, I have had them baking simple treats with me in the kitchen, and these were the first sweet treat they got to enjoy and still look forward to them every Thanksgiving and Christmas!

I truly hope that your family will enjoy them as much as my family has for decades!

What You Need

Hand mixer
Baking sheet
Parchment paper (recommended for easy cleanup)
Small cookie scoop
Cooling rack

Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies | grandmas recipe

Yields: About 36–40 cookies (3 dozen)
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Bake Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total Time: ~25 minutes

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups flour
1 cup butter, softened (salted recommended)
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In one large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
Using a hand mixer, lightly beat in the flour and baking soda until a soft dough forms.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Scoop the dough using a small cookie scoop onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until cookies are just set and lightly golden around the edges.
Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.