CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

.
3/4 cup (1-1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces or larger 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

.
Sift together the flour, the baking soda and the salt into bowl or on large piece of waxed paper, set aside.

.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars. Beat in the eggs and the vanilla extract, scraping down the bowl as needed.
.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, and combine at low speed until the dough comes together. Mix in the chocolate pieces and, if desired, the nuts.

.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets, flattening them slightly by hand.
.

Bake until lightly browned, 9 to 12 minutes. Cool cookie on cookie sheets about 1-2 minutes before moving cookies on a wire rack to completely cool.

.
Makes about 48 cookies.