Make Easy Hershey Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe at Home

There’s something irresistible about the rich, creamy taste of Hershey’s milk chocolate folded into warm, freshly baked cookies. Unlike their semi-sweet counterparts, Hershey milk chocolate chips bring a smoother, sweeter flavor profile that transforms an ordinary chocolate chip cookie into something truly special. In this guide, we’ll share the perfect Hershey milk chocolate chip cookie recipe that will have your family and friends begging for more.

Why Choose Hershey Milk Chocolate Chips?

Hershey milk chocolate chips offer a distinctive sweetness and creaminess that sets them apart from other chocolate varieties. Their smooth melt-in-your-mouth quality creates pockets of sweet, milky goodness throughout each cookie. The classic Hershey flavor brings a nostalgic touch to your baking, making these cookies perfect for creating lasting memories around the kitchen table.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Hershey Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Before you begin, gather these high-quality ingredients for cookie perfection:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This preparation ensures even baking and prevents your cookies from sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout your cookie dough.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This crucial step incorporates air into the dough, creating a soft, tender texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture and flavor that complement the milk chocolate perfectly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.

Step 6: Fold in the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the Hershey’s milk chocolate chips (and nuts if using). This is where the magic happens – these chips will melt slightly during baking, creating irresistible pockets of creamy milk chocolate throughout each cookie.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Or, enjoy them warm for the ultimate milk chocolate chip cookie experience!

Pro Tips for Hershey Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Success

• Chill the dough: For thicker cookies with a more concentrated flavor, refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 24 hours before baking.
• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best texture and even mixing.
• Measure flour correctly: Spoon flour into measuring cups and level with a knife rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup to avoid dense cookies.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt: For a gourmet touch, sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top of each cookie before baking to enhance the milk chocolate’s sweetness.
• Consider cookie size: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that will bake evenly.

Hershey Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Delicious Variations

While the classic recipe is divine on its own, here are some variations to try:

1. Double Chocolate: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate cookie base that complements the milk chocolate chips.
2. Hershey’s Cookies and Cream: Mix in chopped Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Cream bars along with the milk chocolate chips.
3. Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop small spoonfuls of peanut butter into the dough before folding in the chocolate chips.
4. Caramel Delight: Add ½ cup of caramel bits alongside the milk chocolate chips.

Storage Tips

These Hershey milk chocolate chip cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. You can also freeze portioned cookie dough balls for up to 3 months – simply bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Hershey Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Perfect Pairings

Enhance your cookie experience by serving them with:

• A cold glass of milk
• Vanilla ice cream for the ultimate cookie sandwich
• Hot coffee or cocoa for a cozy treat

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

This Hershey milk chocolate chip cookie recipe strikes the perfect balance between chewy and crisp, with the sweet milk chocolate creating a wonderful contrast to the slightly salty cookie dough. The careful ratio of butter, sugars, and flour ensures cookies that spread just the right amount during baking.

Conclusion

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked Hershey milk chocolate chip cookies filling your home. With this foolproof recipe, you’ll create cookies that are crisp at the edges, soft in the center, and studded with perfectly melted milk chocolate chips. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a homemade treat, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles all around.

So grab your mixing bowl and those iconic Hershey milk chocolate chips – it’s time to create some sweet memories!

“Loved this recipe? Discover more delicious and easy-to-make treats on RecipesSweet – your go-to source for mouthwatering recipes!