Chocolate Cookies

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or a stand mixer for this.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

6. Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if using) with a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Scoop and Place Dough on Baking Sheets

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

8. Bake the Cookies

Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool.

9. Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Enjoy Your Cookies

Once cooled, enjoy your homemade chocolate cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or on their own!