Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 5 Dozen

2 1/2 cups	All-purpose flour
1 tsp.	Baking soda
1/2 to 1 tsp.	Salt (depends on if the butter is salted)
1/2 tsp.	Cinnamon (optional)
2	Sticks of butter, softened
1 cup	Packed brown sugar
1/2 cup	Granulated sugar
2	Eggs, beaten
1 tsp.	Vanilla extract
12-18 oz.	Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup	Chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375º.

In a medium size mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir the ingredients together.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add the eggs, and stir until creamy. Add the vanilla, and mix well. Slowly stir in the flour mixture. Gently stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop the dough by rounded teaspoon onto an ungreased, preferrably non-stick, cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let them stand for approximately two minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool.

Tips

	If using a wooden spoon, hold it closer to the bottom while mixing. These spoons may break easily otherwise.
	Do not use regular silverware to mix the batter, it will bend.
	You may not want to use a hand-mixer to mix your batter. Sometimes the motors burn out from the strain.
	Using a sturdy mixer with a dough hook or using a large metal serving spoon is best.

This is an original recipe that may not be used commercially without the consent of the owners of RachelPautler.com.