Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

== Description ==
This recipe produces perfectly plump, golden brown cookies that are crispy outside and chewy inside...pure heaven! 
== Ingredients ==
* 1½ cups all-purpose flour
* ½ tsp baking soda
* ½ tsp salt
* ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* ½ cup sugar (I use vanilla sugar, made by storing used vanilla bean pods in the sugar jar)
* ¾ cup tightly packed dark brown sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* ½ vanilla bean (split the bean lengthwise with a paring knife, scrape the seeds out of one half, & save the other half for a future batch)
* 1 large egg, at room temperature
* 7 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
== Directions ==
# Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet. (I use the butter wrapper to do this—quick and easy!).
# Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
# Using a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on low speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
# Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
# Add the vanilla, vanilla bean seeds, and egg.
# Beat on low speed just until fully incorporated.
# Don't get carried away- this should take a minute tops.
# Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
# On low speed, add the flour mixture. Beat until just incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
# Add the chocolate chips and mix until they are just incorporated.
# Spoon heaping tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. (makes about 18 cookies, depending on size).
# Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Do not overbake! slightly underdone cookies are scrumptious. Dry, overdone cookies are not.
# Remove the sheet from the oven and let rest 3 minutes. When cookies are set, remove them to a cooling rack.
# Wait at least 5 minutes and devour! mmmm.
Category:Cookie Recipes