Classic Nestle Toll House Cookies (Soft & Chewy)

Nestle Toll House cookies recipe is the original chocolate chip cookie recipe that most of us grew up baking at home. It’s simple, reliable, and still one of the easiest chocolate chip cookie recipes to get right on the first try.

I still remember baking these cookies for the first time as a kid, standing on a chair to reach the counter. The smell of butter, sugar, and Nestle Toll House chocolate chips filling the kitchen felt like magic. Even now, after trying dozens of cookie recipes, I keep coming back to this one. It’s familiar. It works. And honestly, it never disappoints. If you want soft centers, crisp edges, and real chocolate flavor, this recipe delivers every time.

What are Nestle Toll House Cookies?

Nestle Toll House cookie is a classic American chocolate chip cookie made with butter, brown sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. What makes it special is balance, sweet but not too sweet, chewy yet lightly crisp.

This recipe first became popular because it was printed directly on the Toll House chocolate chip bag, which made it easy for home bakers to trust and follow. In my experience, it’s one of those rare recipes that doesn’t need fixing. You can tweak it, sure, but the original Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe already nails texture and flavor. That’s why people still search for the Toll House cookie recipe on the bag decades later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for Nestle’s Toll House cookies are basic pantry items, which is part of why the recipe is so popular. You don’t need fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients to make them.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda (or a baking soda substitute if needed)
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts (optional)

If you prefer precise baking, you can easily make the Nestle Toll House cookie recipe in grams. I often switch to grams when baking in bulk because it keeps the results consistent, especially with flour.

How to Make Nestlé’s Toll House Cookies

To make Nestle Toll House cookies, start by creaming the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This step matters more than people think; it’s what gives you that soft, chewy texture.

Follow these steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
• Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Stir in Nestle Toll House chocolate chips (and nuts, if using).
• Drop rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet.
• Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are golden, but centers look soft.

If you’re wondering how to make Toll House cookies soft and chewy, slightly underbaking them is key. I pull mine out when they look almost done, and they finish setting as they cool.

Servings and Yield

This recipe usually makes about 36 to 48 cookies, depending on size. It’s perfect for sharing, freezing, or baking in stages.

When I don’t need that many, I make a Nestle Toll House cookie 1/2 recipe. The dough halves cleanly, and the results are just as good. Honestly, I do this more often than the full batch.

Storage and Freezing Tips

Baked Toll House cookies stay fresh for up to five days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If they dry out, a quick warm-up brings them back to life.

Nestle Toll House cookie dough freezes extremely well. I like scooping the dough before freezing so I can bake one or two cookies at a time. Just add an extra minute to the bake time.

Variations You Can Try

This recipe is flexible. You can turn it into a Nestle Toll House cookie cake recipe by pressing the dough into a pan and baking longer, or make cookie bars for easy slicing.

You can also swap chocolate types, add sea salt, or use a baking soda substitute if needed. I’ve tried baking powder in a pinch; it’s not identical, but it works when you’re out of baking soda.

Conclusion

Nestlé’s Toll House cookie recipe is popular for a reason. It’s easy, forgiving, and consistently delicious. I’ve tested countless chocolate chip cookie recipes, but this one always feels right. If you want a classic cookie that never lets you down, this is the recipe to keep.