Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside so the dry ingredients are ready to be mixed into the wet ingredients later.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is fully combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined. You don’t want to overmix, or your cookies could end up tough.

Now it’s time to add the star of the show—chocolate chips! Add them to the dough along with the optional nuts. Gently fold them in using a spatula or spoon.

Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on your prepared cookie sheet. Make sure to leave space between each cookie so they don’t spread into each other while baking.

Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. Remember, the cookies will continue to cook slightly after you take them out of the oven, so don’t wait until they’re completely set in the center.

Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy with a cold glass of milk or your favorite beverage!