Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and turn out perfectly golden.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Next, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the Goodies: Gently fold in your chocolate chips and nuts. Feel free to get creative here! You could even add dried fruits or oatmeal for an extra twist.
Scoop and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy fresh or store for later!