Chocolate Chip Cookies

How I make it

1. Preheat the oven to 355°F.

2. Beat the butter with both sugars and the vanilla extract until creamy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each is incorporated.

4. Sift the flour with the salt and baking soda, and add to the mixture along with the chocolate chips and walnuts. Mix just until the dough is uniform.

5. With wet hands or two spoons, form mounds of dough and place them spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are flat and set to the touch at the edges.

7. Cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

What I've learned

• I vary the add-ins depending on what I have: nuts, chopped chocolate bar pieces, M&M's, or white chocolate chips.