chocolate chip cookies

the cookie monster strikes again.

i love chocolate chip cookies. like, a lot. this morning, while getting ready for work, i was pondering all the reasons i love chocolate chip cookies. i'm obsessed. i love most cookies, but chocolate chip are my favorite. that's not to say ALL chocolate chip cookies are good. don't get me wrong, i can be a bit of a cookie snob. but, nothing beats a good chocolate chip cookie.

there are 3 main categories:
1. thin, crispy, buttery
2. cakey, soft, pillowy
3. thick, chewy, textured

all chocolate chip cookies fit into one of these categories. i promise. last night i was on the cookie prowl and knew i needed to make chocolate chip. it had been a long week, weekend, day and i needed the comfort of a batch of cookies. while scanning through my martha stewart cookie bakebook, my eyes fell upon this picture.

that's all she wrote. the search was over. i knew i was destined to make #2 that night. so i did. don't mess with destiny. they are divine. the heavens parted, i wept. you can, too. here's the recipe:

2 1/4 C flour

1 3/4 sticks butter, softened

3/4 C white sugar

1/4 C brown sugar

1t salt

2t vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2t baking soda

2 C chocolate chips

Walnuts (my addition)

cream butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy and light in color, about 2 mins. add eggs, salt and vanilla; mix until blended, about 1 minute. add flour and baking soda in batches, just until blended. hand stir in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, rotating after 5 minutes. let cool for 2 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling. put a lot in your mouth before they cool completely because they are delicious warm.

enjoy!