The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I don't like cookies. In general, I don't like sweets at all. But Hubby adores all things chocolate, so the classic chocolate chip cookie is his favorite.

Although I am a lousy cook, I am a pretty decent baker. Not sure why, except maybe because baking is about following recipes, and I'm pretty good at following directions but lousy at creating my own art. Anyway, I've tried a lot of recipes, and find that this one is the absolute best if you love a soft cookie. Amazingly, these cookies will stay nice and soft for days, even without storing them with a hunk of bread. They are a lovely combination of salty/sweet, and quite tasty to even a cookie-hater like myself.

It's a fairly basic and simple recipe. I made a batch with my kids today, and they had fun with the experience (and now Hubby will get a sweet treat when he gets home from work, too).

So without further ado, here they are:

Mrs. Henson's Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 1/4 cup flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

1 cup butter (soft)

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c brown sugar

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

2 c chocolate chips (I use way more... like a bag and a half)

Follow the standard rules for baking... by which I mean pack down the brown sugar, spoon out and level the flour, etc. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream sugars, butter and vanilla (being careful not to overbeat). Mix in eggs (again, don't overbeat or you end up with flat cookies). Gradually add flour, soda and salt (I usually add one cup of flour and the salt and soda, then mix a little, then add 1/4 cup flour, mix a little, and finish with the final cup of flour). Don't overbeat. Stir in chips. (I use a ton of chips, because Hubby likes a chocolate-y cookie.) Bake 9-11 minutes.

Yummers.