Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Prep: 10 minutes       Oven: 375 degrees      Yield: about 5 dozen

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (opt.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat both sugars with vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes: You can use an ice cream scoop and put on ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart, but you will have to bake a little longer. Cookies should be lightly browned and done around the edges. One other variation is to grease a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan. Spread dough in prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack.