Chocolate Chip Cookies

This was the first cookie recipe I ever memorized, and I have made hundreds of batches of these.  They are everything I love about cookies...crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and full of chocolate.  I have made variations using oatmeal or nuts or adding some cocoa powder and white chocolate chips, but I like them best just the way they are, hot from the oven.

The recipe came from a cookbook put together by our neighbor's real estate office over a decade ago.   

7 ounces butter butter (I always use salted), softened (1 and 3/4 sticks)

2/3 cup brown sugar (I use whatever I have on hand, either dark or light, or a mixture)

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 12 oz bag semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350

Cream the butter and add sugar, beating until well-mixed.  Add the egg and vanilla, and mix for about 30 seconds.  

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, and baking soda with a fork.  Add to the butter mixture and stir gently until flour just disappears.  Add chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment or Silpat-lined cookie sheets and bake 8-10 minutes, until just beginning to brown on the edges.