Quick and Easy Homemade Cookies: Ready in Just 20 Minutes

### Instructions:

#### 1. **Preheat the Oven**:
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and even baking.

#### 2. **Cream the Butter and Sugars**:
– In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. You can use an electric mixer or beat by hand with a whisk. The mixture should be light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

#### 3. **Add the Wet Ingredients**:
– Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. This helps add richness and flavor to the cookie dough.

#### 4. **Mix the Dry Ingredients**:
– In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the dough, helping your cookies rise to perfection.

#### 5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**:
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tougher cookies.

#### 6. **Add the Chocolate Chips**:
– Stir in the chocolate chips (or other mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or coconut) using a spatula or wooden spoon.

#### 7. **Scoop and Shape the Dough**:
– Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie, as they will spread slightly during baking.

#### 8. **Bake the Cookies**:
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for **8-10 minutes**, or until the edges are lightly golden, and the centers are still soft. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven.

#### 9. **Cool and Enjoy**:
– Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
– Enjoy your warm, freshly baked cookies with a glass of milk, tea, or coffee!

### Tips for Perfect Cookies:

– **Butter Temperature**: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature (but not melted). This helps create a smooth dough and ensures your cookies are light and tender.
– **Don’t Overmix**: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in dense, tough cookies.
– **Chill the Dough (Optional)**: If you have a little extra time, chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can help the cookies maintain their shape and enhance the flavor.
– **Size Matters**: The size of your dough balls will affect the baking time. Larger dough balls will require a slightly longer baking time, so adjust accordingly.
– **Perfect for Customization**: You can easily customize these cookies by adding your favorite mix-ins. Try using white chocolate chips, dark chocolate, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts for different variations.

### Why These Cookies Are a Must-Try:

These **Quick and Easy Homemade Cookies** are a true crowd-pleaser. They’re soft and chewy on the inside with a slightly crisp edge, making them the perfect balance of textures. The best part is that they only take **20 minutes**, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth in no time! With their rich, buttery flavor and the added sweetness of chocolate chips, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering or as a simple treat for yourself.

Whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced one, this recipe is foolproof and adaptable. You can whip up a batch in just 20 minutes, and with minimal clean-up, you’ll have more time to enjoy your cookies. So, next time you’re craving something sweet, give this easy cookie recipe a try—you won’t regret it!

### Final Thoughts:

When you need a fast and satisfying dessert, these **Quick and Easy Homemade Cookies** are just the thing. They’re delicious, versatile, and require very little effort to make. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because you want a sweet treat, this simple recipe is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start baking—your perfect cookies are only 20 minutes away!