Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

My husband and I love Food Network and really LOVE watching The Best Thing I Ever Made. That is where this YUMMY recipe came from. These are by far our most favorite chocolate chip cookies. A little bit SWEET and a little bit salty. Mmmmmm!

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

(From Best Thing I Ever Made on Food Network)

8 tablespoons butter, softened but still cool

3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, cream together the butter and brown and granulated sugars until smooth but not over mixed. (I do this by hand, but if you use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, and then scrape down the sides of the bowl before continuing.) Add the egg, vanilla, and salt and stir just until combined.

Sift in the flour, baking soda, and baking powder and stir gently just until combined. Add the chocolate and nuts if using and stir just until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Put 1-inch scoops of dough onto prepared pans and bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Check and see if done, then bake a couple minutes more if needed. Let cool on racks and enjoy!

TIP: Remember when you are baking that the cookies will continue to cook as they cool on the pan and rack. Take them out when they are just starting to turn golden around the edges or they will be overdone! (I am guilty of this all of the time!)