Growing up, my best friends mom had the cookie situation on point. I mean, 365 days a year, without fail - there was some sort of perfect baking situation happening. So, naturally when I needed a go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe (because we all know everyone needs one) I went to her first.

She, like anyone would… says “I get asked for the recipe all the time!”. Now, how many times have you heard that one & thought, really? do you? But toot-toot that horn of yours my friends. You will be graced with compliments, spread joy to the world & yes… maybe even be asked for your recipe.

Look no further.

Lauren’s Go-To Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 C sugar

• 1 C packed brown sugar

• 2 Sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

• 2 Lg eggs (room temperature)

• 2 Tsp vanilla extract

• 1 Tsp baking soda

• 1/2 Tsp salt

• 2 1/2 C flour

• 3 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Sea salt crystals / flaky sea salt

Steps

1. Pre-heat oven to 325º. In a bowl, (if you have stand mixer use paddle attachment) combine butter and sugar until soft. Add eggs to the mixer one at a time.

2. Then, add vanilla, baking soda & salt and continue to mix on low-medium setting.

3. Next, add flour one cup at a time. Adding more once the previous cup has been fully incorporated.

4. Turn off mixer & fold in chocolate chips.

5. Spoon dough onto cookie sheets and sprinkle each cookie with coarse sea salt crystals or flaky salt.

6. Bake cookies for 15-18 minutes. Let cool on tray for 2 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Tips n’ Tricks

• The salt step is key! If you have any fancy salt hanging around your pantry, now is the time to bust that out. If you’re totally clueless when it comes to salt - here’s a great guide from David Lebovitz.

• Believe me when I say, you want to make a batch of cookie dough and have in your freezer at all times. It will come in handy. You can do this one of two ways - either make the dough, roll into a log and wrap in saran wrap for sliced cookies - OR - scoop cookies into rounds and freeze individually and then transfer to large ziplock back. Pro tip: label your cookies with date & put oven temp & cooking time on the bag.

• Variations on the theme: Add walnuts, M&M’s, chocolate covered nuts of your choosing.