Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and achieve that golden-brown color we all love.

In a large mixing bowl, add your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture together on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is essential to create a soft and tender cookie texture.

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add a splash of vanilla extract to bring a rich, warm flavor to your dough. This is the foundation of the irresistible taste of these cookies.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. The baking soda helps the cookies rise and become perfectly soft, while the salt balances out the sweetness.

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently after each addition. Be sure not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cookies. The goal is to just combine the dough until smooth.

Now comes the fun part—chocolate chips! Fold in your favorite semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. Feel free to get creative and add some milk chocolate or white chocolate chips if you're craving extra sweetness.

Scoop out dough using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, making sure each scoop is about the same size for even baking. Place the dough balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball to allow for spreading.

Pop the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they bake! You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still slightly soft. This creates that perfect chewy texture that everyone loves.

After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period helps them set and prevents them from falling apart.