Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, and continue cooking, swirling the pan constantly, until the butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma.
3. Remove skillet from heat and stir the remaining 4 tablespoons butter into the hot butter until melted.
4. Add sugars, salt, and vanilla to the bowl with the butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until the mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps.
5. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat this resting and whisking 2 more times until the mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny.
6. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, giving the dough a final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.
7. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons; arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets - 8 dough balls per sheet.
8. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until golden brown and still puffy, with edges set but centers still soft, 10-14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking.
9. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and cool completely before serving, if you can wait that long.