Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or mix with chunks for extra gooeyness)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)


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Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cream butter & sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

3. Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

4. Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

5. Fold in chocolate & nuts: Stir in chocolate chips (and nuts if using).

6. Scoop & bake: Drop dough by rounded tablespoons (or use a cookie scoop) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

7. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are golden brown but centers still look slightly soft.

8. Cool: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.



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Tips for the BEST cookies:
Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
Sprinkle with a tiny bit of flaky sea salt before baking for a bakery-style touch.
Use half chocolate chips, half chocolate chunks for melty pockets.


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