Recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 15 ounces (2 1/2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup nuts, chopped – we used pecans

PREPARATION:

• Soften butter by letting it stand for 30-45 minutes at room temperature OR cut into chunks and allow to stand for 15 minutes at room temperature
• Chop nuts

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
6. Place golf ball-sized dough portions 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 9-12 minutes or just until edges are light brown. Remove from oven while they still look undercooked; they will firm up as they cool. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

TIP for new bakers: I swear by insulated cookie sheets. To me, they cook more evenly.