In a medium bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
Mix in the flour and baking soda until just combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract, water, and oil until the dough comes together.
Gently mix in the chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Let them sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
Use Softened Butter – Butter should be soft but still slightly cool. You should be able to press your finger into it, leaving an indentation, but it shouldn’t be greasy or melted.
Measure Flour the Right Way – Spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, then level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the container packs it down, leading to dense cookies.
Watch the Bake Time – Remove the cookies as soon as the edges turn golden, about 10-12 minutes. This keeps the centers soft and chewy while the edges stay crisp.