• 1 1/2 cups softened butter
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat an oven to 350°F. Beat butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract and the eggs on a medium speed for about two minutes. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt, then stir in chocolate chips.
2. On an ungreased, clean cookie sheet, drop dough onto the sheet in 1 tablespoon balls.
3. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until just lightly browned.  Cool and remove from cookie sheet to cool. Let them sit at least 5 minutes to let the cookie solidify.

• Don't melt the butter. Melting will turn the dough darker, and it will burn easier.
• Use a clean, reflective cookie sheet so the heat will be distributed perfectly while cooking.
• Use high quality chocolate chips. Experiment to find what chips you like best, milk chocolate, semi sweet chocolate chips (the most popular), or dark chocolate.
  
• Keep an eye on the cookies while they're cooking. All ovens are different, so you may have to take them out early, or cook them an extra few minutes.
  
• Make cookies again! Every time you make them, they come out better each time. Practice makes perfect.