--- title: "Chocolate Chip Cookies" --- A chocolate chip cookie is a drop cookie that originated in the United States and features chocolate chips as its distinguishing ingredient. The traditional recipe combines a dough composed of butter and both brown and white sugar with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Variations include recipes with other types of chocolate as well as additional ingredients such as nuts or oatmeal. This recipe makes 4 dozen cookies. ## Ingredients * 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour * 1 teaspoon baking soda * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1 cup butter, softened and cut to pieces * 1 cup sugar * 1 cup light brown sugar, packed * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract * 2 large eggs * 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips * 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) * 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) ## Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour with baking soda, nutmeg and salt. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar and brown sugar until creamy and light. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and mix until incorporated. 4. Gradually add dry mixture into the butter-sugar wet blend, mixing with a spatula until combined. Add chocolate chips and nuts until just mixed. 5. Drop tablespoon-sized clumps onto un-greased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until pale brown. Allow to cool on the pan for a minute or three, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.