Forget dry, crunchy cookies—this recipe is all about achieving the ultimate soft, chewy, and moist texture that lasts for days. The secret ingredient? Plain Greek yogurt. This simple swap adds tangy richness, extra moisture, and protein, resulting in a cookie that bakes up thick and tender with a slightly crisp edge.
Using both brown and white sugars ensures the perfect balance of chew and sweetness, while the generous amount of chocolate chips guarantees melty pockets in every bite. Easy to make by hand and endlessly adaptable, these yogurt chocolate chip cookies might just become your new go-to recipe.
The Science of Yogurt-Powered Softness
The remarkable softness of these cookies comes from the unique properties of Greek yogurt. Its high moisture content and acidity work in two key ways. First, the extra liquid from the yogurt creates steam during baking, which helps the cookies rise and stay tender. Second, the acidity tenderizes the gluten in the flour, preventing the cookies from becoming tough.
Unlike recipes that rely on an extra egg yolk for chew, the yogurt provides similar richness and binding without additional fat from an extra yolk. The proteins in the yogurt also help retain moisture over time, fighting staleness. This combination, along with a higher ratio of brown sugar (which is hygroscopic and attracts moisture), creates a cookie with a soft, almost cake-like interior that remains deliciously chewy for days.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120g) plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the Greek yogurt, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and uniform. It may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
5. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
6. Portion & Bake: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded tablespoons of dough (about 1.5 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. The centers will look soft and slightly underbaked.
7. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. They will deflate slightly and develop a perfectly soft texture as they cool.
8. Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cookies will stay remarkably soft.
Pro-Tips for Perfectly Soft Cookies Every Time
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter, egg, and yogurt ensures they emulsify properly for a smooth dough and even bake.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing develops gluten and leads to tougher cookies.
- The Cornstarch Secret: Cornstarch is a tenderizing powerhouse that gives the cookies a soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t skip it!
- Underbake for Softness: Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look puffy and soft. They will continue to cook on the hot tray.
- Cool on the Sheet: Letting them rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet is crucial—it allows them to set without over-baking.
- Dough Chilling (Optional): For thicker, slightly chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30-60 minutes before baking.
- Customize Them: Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate and dried cranberries, or add ½ cup of chopped nuts. Use lemon zest and blueberries for a summery twist.
These Yogurt Chocolate Chip Cookies are a reliably delicious way to enjoy a classic, with a wonderfully soft twist.
