Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, adjusting the rack to the middle position, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Whisk Flour and Baking Soda

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda, breaking up any lumps and blending them well.

3. Brown the Butter

Take a 10-inch skillet and melt 10 tablespoons of the unsalted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking the butter, swirling the pan often, until it turns a dark golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. This should take about 1 to 3 minutes. Once browned, transfer the butter to a large heatproof bowl and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, stirring until it melts completely.

4. Mix Sugars, Salt, and Vanilla

To the butter mixture, add the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

5. Add Eggs

Whisk in the egg and the extra yolk until the mixture is smooth and shiny. Let the mixture rest for 3 minutes, then whisk again for 30 seconds. Repeat this process two more times.

6. Combine with Flour Mixture

Stir in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined, ensuring no flour pockets remain.

7. Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks, and the toasted nuts if using, until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

8. Shape and Bake Cookies

Using about 3 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, roll the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. Look for cookies that are golden brown, puffy, with edges that are set and centers that remain soft.

9. Cool Cookies

Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.