Soft And Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Rachel Hall
Casey says that this recipe is a keeper!

1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz.)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preparation
1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

2. add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. You should be able to handle the dough with your hands with little sticking. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans, if using.

3. Drop dough in 2-tablespoon (1/8-cup) portions, 2 inches apart, onto buttered 12- by 15-inch baking sheets.

4. Bake in a 375° oven until cookies are lightly browned and no longer wet in the center (break one open to check), 6 to 8 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

5. With a wide spatula, transfer cookies to racks to cool. If hot cookies start to break, slide a thin spatula under them to release; let stand on pan to firm up, 2 to 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.