Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the butter, making your cookies tender.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture and flavor, creating a rich dough.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. It’s important not to overmix at this stage to avoid tough cookies.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips (and Nuts)
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and, if using, the nuts. This step is where you can get creative, mixing in your favorite types of chips or chunks.
6. Prepare the Baking Sheets
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
7. Scoop the Dough
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoons to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie for them to spread.
8. Bake to Perfection
- Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The center might look slightly underbaked; that’s okay. It will continue to cook on the baking sheet after removal from the oven.
