Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies

My dad has an intense sweet tooth, just like me. One afternoon when I was around 10 years old, Dad got a hankering and he enlisted me to help him make Toll House chocolate chip cookies. That was the first time he and I had ever baked together. Since then, whenever I make chocolate chip cookies, including the ones from this recipe, I think of him and that special afternoon we spent together in the kitchen.

I developed this recipe over the years, after experimenting with a few classics and having them come out flat every time. I wanted something that was chunky, beautiful, and also delicious. In the end, one big change I made was to cut back on the butter. I do truly believe that butter makes everything better and no one is more surprised than I am about how amazing these taste even though they’re made with less of the good stuff than most traditional chocolate chip cookies.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside.
3. Place the butter and sugar In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl.) Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until blended.
4. Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture. Mix on medium speed just until the flour is mixed in, then turn the mixer to high speed for a few seconds to pull the dough together; it will be chunky. Add the chocolate chips and beat on high speed to thoroughly and quickly mix in the chips, about 5 seconds.
5. Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet; don’t flatten them. Bake until lightly browned on top, 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on the pan on a rack for 1 minute, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.