Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the vanilla and eggs and mix well.

Step 3

Add the flour, soda, and salt and blend together before adding the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using). Mix everything together well.

Step 4

Using a baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment and a 1½ inch cookie scoop, drop the dough on the sheet leaving a couple inches between each cookie. Press down lightly with fingers to flatten the cookies (this helps the cookies get a nice, round shape because they don't spread much on their own).

Step 5

Bake 8 minutes- DO NOT OVERBAKE. They will not look done, but will continue to "cook" as they cool. Let sit for a few minutes on the sheet to set a bit before transferring to a rack to finish cooling.