The Classic

This is the classic choclate chip cookie.  From here, you can let your imagination go wild by adding whatever kind of chips you want (peanut butter chips are an awesome substitution).  This is the first kind of cookie I learned how to make.  I remember watching my mom making these and being able to eyeball everything, putting salt in her hand and throwing it in the bowl with ease and confidence.  And every time the cookies came out of the oven, they were mouth-wateringly delicious each time.  After about five years of making these myself, I'm still not at that level.  Thank God for measuring spoons.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

•  1 stick butter [1/2 cup]
• 3/4 cup pakced dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 bag chocolate chip cookies

Directions

•  Oven temp: 375 degrees
• Bake time per batch: 7-9 minutes

1. In large bowl, melt butter in microwave until soft [about 40 seconds].
2. Add brown sugar and sugar to the bowl and beat with butter until well mixed.  This part can be done with an electric mixer to get a lighter, fluffier mix, but the rest of the recipie is best done with hand mixer [wooden spoon works great].
3. Add both eggs and vanilla.  Mix until well blended.
4. On top of the mix add the flour, then baking soda and salt.  With a fork, gently blend the dry ingredients together while it sits on top of the wet mix.  Take your wooden spoon and mix all the ingredients together.
5. Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the dough. 
6. Spoon the dough, about 2 1/2 tablespoons at a time, onto a non-stick baking sheet.  The size of the dough ball can vary just as long as its consistent throughout the batch.
7. Bake in the oven for about 7-9 minutes.
8. Cool on a cooling rack or on paper towels for at least twenty minutes before packaging them, or just eat them right away!