15 insanely good recipes for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Do you ever need a reason to bake up a big sheet of chocolate chip cookies? No, that's what we thought. Anytime is a good time!

With Thursday being National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, however, we'll allow an added excuse to make an extra batch (or three). Heck, while we're at it, we might as well enjoy all the cookie deals and freebies honoring what's arguably one of the best sweets in history. Comparing everyone's chocolate chip cookie recipes on a big taste-testing mission is a necessary task, right?

With this list of TODAY Food's favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes, it's easy to win the contest of who makes the best batch. What does make the perfect chocolate chip cookie? The answer varies from family to family and baker to baker. Joanna Gaines, for example, swears by using brown sugar (none of plain old granulated stuff) because it contains molasses. This is what makes a batch more moist and chewy, whereas whit sugar caramelizes and makes cookies more brown and crisp.

Now there's no time like the present to test out the theory! Grab the mixing bowl, preheat the oven and bust out the chocolate chips. You're less than an hour away from a heaping plate of crisp-edged, ooey-gooey cookies. So let's dig in!

Dylan's Chocolate Chip Cookies by Dylan Dreyer

"I am very particular with chocolate chip cookies and I've been adjusting this recipe for years. I finally figured out the perfect combination of ingredients for a chewy and fluffy cookie with just the right flavor that my family loves," says TODAY's Dylan Dreyer about her well tuned treats.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies by Maya and Aria Christian

It's a classic cookie that we all love and adore, but a little more grown-up! The deep, rich flavor of the brown butter and sprinkle of the flaky sea salt is what sets this cookie apart from the rest.

Sweet and Salty Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies by Ali Tila and Jet Tila

Ali and Jet Tila had us at sweet and salty. These golden cookies use a tasty technique, browning the butter rather than just softening it, which adds a rich, nutty flavor to these treats that really pops when garnished with a few salt flakes.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever by Alli Hawes

This all-time favorite is a variation on the classic Nestlé Toll House recipe that families have been making for generations. But in this recipe, there's one trick that gives them the perfect gooey-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside texture.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pots by Nigella Lawson

The only thing that might have a cookie beat is eating that cookie by the spoonful. These chocolate chip cookie dough pots are amazing when you want to put those cute ramekins to use.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle by Shauna Sever

This chocolate chip spin takes the crisp, sugary, brown-buttery edges of a great cookie and makes it into one mouthwatering dessert. It's easy to make and a true crowd-pleaser great for parties and picnics.

Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies by Alison Roman

If, like Alison Roman, you think traditional chocolate chip cookies are a little too basic, try her Instagram-famous version made with salted butter and shortbread. The cookie dough can be made ahead and stored, tightly wrapped in plastic, up to one week in the refrigerator or one month in the freezer.

Chocolate Chip Cookies by Eric Ripert

You can't improve on perfection, and Eric Ripert's classic chocolate chip cookie is a prime example of that. Soft and crispy with melty chocolate morsels inside, it couldn't possibly get any better.

Christina Tosi's Cornflake-Chocolate-Chip-Peppermint Cookies by Christina Tosi

For all the bakers who like to push the boundaries of ordinary cookies, Milkbar's Christina Tosi has got your back. Her cornflake-chocolate-chip-peppermint cookies are a blast of flavor. Cool down on a hot summer day with a hint of mint.

Signature Chocolate Chip Cookies by Kristen Tomlan, founder of Dō, Cookie Dough Confections

This recipe is the reason Kristen Tomlan, founder of Dō, Cookie Dough Confections, fell in love with cookie dough to begin with. "It's the most popular base we have and is perfect for so many mix-ins, toppings and swirls!" she said. "It brings you back to your childhood!"

Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies by Tina Rexing

If you're going to mess with classic chocolate chip cookies, it better be with sea salt or caramel. How about both? These sea salt caramel chocolate chip cookies from Tina Rexing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are out of this world.

Bobby Flay's Chocolate Chip Cookies by Bobby Flay

Don't think for a second that these are just regular, run-of-the-mill chocolate chip cookies. Sure, they have many of the same ingredients as your average cookie. But Flay's small additions and subtle differences make these cookies truly outstanding.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Bars by Southern Living

It's impossible to roundup the best chocolate chip cookie recipes without a nod to its best partner, ice cream. These cookie ice cream bars from Southern Living are the cold, decadent morsels that keep us happy on hot days.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Touchdown Footballs by Brandi Milloy

Have a house full of football fans and cookie lovers? Make everyone a happy camper with these adorable touchdown football cookies from Brandi Milloy. Oh, and they're made of edible cookie dough. Score!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Skillet by Elizabeth Heiskell

The only thing better than warm chocolate chip cookies is a gigantic chocolate chip cookie! Making this sweet treat in a skillet gives the cookie an incredibly crispy crust while keeping the middle soft and tender.