Traditional Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
3. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in the semisweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form Dough Balls: Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Enjoy: Once cooled, serve and enjoy your traditional classic chocolate chip cookies!

Tips:

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for best results. Room temperature butter blends more easily with the sugars, creating a smoother dough, while room temperature eggs incorporate more evenly into the mixture.
2. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined to avoid this.
3. Properly Measure Flour: When measuring flour, spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the top with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the flour container, as it can compact the flour and result in too much being used, leading to dry cookies.
4. Use Good Quality Chocolate: The quality of your chocolate chips can greatly impact the flavor of your cookies. Use high-quality semisweet chocolate chips for the best results.
5. Adjust Baking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Oven temperatures can vary, so adjust the baking time accordingly. The cookies are done when the edges are golden brown but the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheets.