The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or browned for extra flavor)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of chocolate chunks and chips)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Use a stand mixer or handheld mixer for best results.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
6. Stir in the Chocolate and Nuts:
Fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if using) until evenly distributed.
7. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended):
For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and develop deeper flavors.
8. Shape and Bake:
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. The cookies may look slightly underbaked in the center, but they will firm up as they cool.
9. Cool and Enjoy:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely (or enjoy warm for melty chocolate goodness).