Unbelievable Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok, so, chocolate cookies are totally basic and classic and wonderful. A friend of mine said that they're simple compared to the things I make most of the time (like peanut butter cake and chocolate cherry rum fudge), which might explain why I don't make them very often. The truth is, I don't make them very often because every time I do the batch lasts only a few hours and everyone in the house grumbles about having eaten too many. Maybe it's because there's something special about chocolate chip cookies that is so very satisfying in the way that hugs from your favorite family members are satisfying. You know?

I have experimented with chocolate chip cookie recipes for the past few years and this recipe is the result of that experimentation. It has double the vanilla and a little more salt than most recipes. The double vanilla is just because I love it so much, and the salt counteracts it and brings some savory into the picture to accompany the walnuts. I have faith that these will become your favorite chocolate chip cookies the first time you try them, but I would love to try any recipes you might want to email me as a challenge.


Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 slightly-overfull cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar (optional, it makes them good though)
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted and cooled to warm
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cups chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1) Preheat the oven to 325º with racks in the middle and upper-middle positions.
2) Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
3) Mix the butter and sugars in a medium bowl. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat until just combined.
4) Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of flour and beat until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.
5) Drop lumpy tablespoonfuls on a cookie sheet, at least 2" apart. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.