Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

This is the classic from Fanny Farmer and I recommend them for all occasions.  I've won several bets for which the stakes were "chocolate chip cookies for life."  They should be put on the cookie sheet in a flattened shape rather than in a mound.  I make them small so that the yield is about thirty 2 1/2" cookies to a batch.  [Wheeler and Kate get about 17 3 1/2 cookies.]

 

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 3/8 cup white sugar
• 3/8 cup dark brown sugar

 

• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda in 1 Tbsp hot water

 

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (generous) flour

 

• 2/3 cup broken walnut pieces
• 6 oz chocolate chips (1 cup by volume)

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars until smooth.  Ad the liquid ingredients and mix.  Add the salt and flour and mix to a smooth brown paste.  Add the walnuts and chocolate chips and mix thoroughly.
3. Spoon mounds onto a cookie sheet and flatten them [not necessary?].  Bake for 12 minutes.