chocolate chip cookies

i need to finish up all my cooking & baking ingredients in my kitchen before the packers come next friday. baked this last saturday and Yes! my chocolate chips are now gone..



1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 180 degrees with rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Cream the butter. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated, adding the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) about half way through mixing. If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).

Drop about 1 teaspoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake about 10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on wire rack.