Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Cooking Time : 8 - 10 minutes
Makes : 3 Dozen Cookies

Ingredients

Butter - 1 cup at room temperature 
Brown sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Eggs - 2 big ones
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
All-purpose flour / Maida - 2 1/2 cups
Baking soda - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Semisweet chocolate chips - 2 cups
Pecans - 1 cup, chopped (optional)

Procedure

1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended. 
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. 
3. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. 
4. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans, if using. 
5. Drop dough in 2-tablespoon portions, 2 inches apart, onto buttered baking sheets. 
6. Bake in a 400°F/ 200° C oven until cookies are lightly browned and no longer wet in the center (break one open to check), 6 to 8 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking. 
7. Transfer cookies to racks to cool. 
8. Store these cookies airtight for up to 2 days.

Note

1. If hot cookies start to break, slide a thin spatula under them to release; let it stand on to the pan to firm up, for 2 to 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.