Can You Roll Out Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Blue banner saying the best ever chocolate chip cut out cookies over image of stack of cookies

Jump to Recipe

Have you ever made chocolate chip cut-out cookies before? If not - you are in for a treat! The same classic chocolate chip cookie flavor you know and love is just a little more fun to make. Rolling out the dough and cutting gives you a chance to present these in a unique shape for holidays, events, parties, or just because!

Cookies laying on black wooden table

Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies Recipe

Sometimes I like to make a basic cookie look just a little bit better. This method of making cookies allows a little fancier look that just feels fancy even if the cookie itself is one of the most basic and beloved you've ever made.

If you want a more traditional chocolate chip cookie, then you might enjoy the ultimate monster chocolate chip cookie or even these copycat DoubleTree cookies instead. These chewy almond joy cookies or the cookies and cream cookies are some other options that are popular.

What Makes These Different Than Traditional Chocolate Chip Cookies?

The dough is a little bit different as it rolls out easily. It isn't as wet as a normal chocolate chip cookie dough might be, but still has the same softness and flavor you are expecting in a traditional cookie.

Cookies spread out on black wood surface

How Do You Get Cut Out Cookies to Keep Their Shape?

The dough needs to be the right texture and thickness to hold the shape. It all comes down to the amount of flour and fats in the dough. If your dough feels too wet still, you may want to put them onto the baking sheet and then pop it into the freezer for 10-minutes before baking. Firming them up a bit can definitely help keep their shape.

What Can I Use Instead of Cookie Cutters?

Growing up, we rarely had cookie cutters. Instead, we used a clean glass or coffee mug to cut out circles. You can actually use any shaped item for cutting out cookies. Just make sure it is clean and has no jagged edges that could cut you or flake off into the dough.

Are These Cookies Soft or Crunchy?

This recipe results in a cookie that has a slightly crisp exterior but is soft on the inside. The edges will be a bit more done than a traditional chocolate chip cookie but the inside will still have that delicious softer cookie texture that you love.

Close up of chocolate chip cut out cookies on table

Why Do You Add Salt to Cookie Dough?

In cookie dough, salt adds two distinct things to a cookie. The first is the one that is my favorite, and that is that it helps create a softer cookie. A second and more commonly stated reason to add salt to cookie dough is to cut some of the sweetness and richness from the dough. With such high concentrates of sugar, butter, and eggs, it needs that slight saltiness to prevent it from being too sweet.

Can I Add Other Mixins to the Cookie Dough?

You sure can! I am one who loves a variety in my cookies and not just chocolate chips, so adding a few different things is a must. When adding other items to this dough, you will want to make sure they are small pieces so they roll out nicely. I also would not add more than an additional ¼ to ½ cup total of alternate items to the batter.

Below are some good ideas to add to this recipe.

Alternate chip flavors such as peanut butter chips, dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips.
Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or peanuts.
Candy pieces like M&M's, Reese's Pieces, OREO cookies, Heath toffee bits, or similar items.

Mini chocolate chips on table by stack of chocolate chip cookies

How Long are Chocolate Chip Cookies Good For?

Baked chocolate chip cookies when stored at room temperature in an airtight container are good for 5 to 7 days. When refrigerated, they are good for up to 2 weeks. They are best eaten at room temperature but can be served cold. If refrigerating them, I like to pop them onto a plate and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to heat up before eating.

Can I Freeze This Cookie Dough?

You can definitely freeze this cookie dough if you wish. When freezing cookie dough, I prefer to freeze in a roll that is easier to cut out once thawed. You can also cut out the cookies, leave them on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then stack them in a freezer storage container. They are fine frozen for up to 4 months. Just make sure you label and date the storage container before freezing.

Stack of cookies on black table with chips beside

Ingredients

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Salt
Baking powder
All-purpose flour
Mini chocolate chips

Ingredients for cut out cookies in glass bowls on white table

Handy Kitchen Tools

Mixing bowls
Hand mixer
Baking sheets
Rubber spatula
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Cookie cutters

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture and mix thoroughly.

Adding eggs to creamed butter and sugar

Mix in the salt and baking powder.

If chilling the dough overnight, add in 3 ½ cups of flour and mix until combined. If baking immediately you will add in all 4 cups of the flour.

Adding flour to cookie dough

Stir in the mini chocolate chips.

Cookie dough with chocolate chips and whisk

Roll the dough out onto a clean lightly floured surface to ¼" thickness.

Cutting cookies out of dough

Cut into shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Cookies cut and on baking sheet before baking

Bake for 7 to 8 minutes.

Baked chocolate chip cookies on baking sheet

Allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling before serving.

Short stack of cookies on table next to scattered chocolate chips

More Cookie Recipes

Cookies are life and our cookie jar is never empty. A variety of recipes is a must to keep my family happy, so below are some more of the best cookie recipes we've shared to add to your meal plan soon. Make sure to bookmark, pin, or print these recipes to make soon!

Classic Coconut Macaroons Recipe with Dark Chocolate
Best Ever Cream Cheese Cookies with Funfetti Topping
Soft Frosted Sour Cream Lemon Cookies Recipe
German Chocolate Cookies with Coconut Pecan Frosting
Chewy Brown Butter Cookies with Walnuts

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

½ cup softened unsalted butter (112 gm)
½ cup packed brown sugar (85 gm)
¼ cup granulated white sugar (100 gm)
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract (10 ml)
¼ tsp salt (1 gm)
¼ tsp baking powder (1 gm)
2 cups all purpose flour (272 gm)
½ cup mini chocolate chips (80 gm)

Notes

When chilling the dough overnight, add 3 ½ cups flour to the batter. Refrigerate, then add the remaining ½ cup flour to the dough before rolling out and cutting the following day.