Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Evenly space 2 racks in oven.

2. 2

   Heat oven to 350º.

3. 3

   Mix flour and baking soda.

4. 4

   Beat butter about 1 minute until fluffy.

5. 5

   Add sugars, vanilla and salt.

6. 6

   Beat until thick and pale, 1 to 2 minutes.

7. 7

   Beat in eggs until just blended.

8. 8

   With spoon, stir in flour mixture, then chocolate and nuts.

9. 9

   Drop about 2 tablespoons dough per cookie on ungreased cookie sheets, placing 6 on each sheet.

10. 10

    Bake 10 to 12 minutes (two sheets at a time) until golden brown around edges and only lightly colored on top.

11. 11

    Switch sheets halfway through baking so they are cooked evenly.

12. 12

    Cool on wire racks 2 to 3 minutes then move cookies to paper towels.

13. 13

    Leave on towels for 5 minutes before lifting to wire rack to cool completely.

14. 14

    Cool sheets before reusing.

15. 15

    Dough can be refrigerated a day or two or frozen.