The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Instructions

1. Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Whisk the flour and baking soda together in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
2. Melt 10 tablespoons of butter in a 10 inch stainless steel skillet (do not use a non-stick, the dark coating of a non-stick skillet will make it difficult to gauge when the butter is sufficiently browned). Continue cooking, swirling the pan constantly, until the butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned butter to a large heatproof bowl. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and stir until completely melted.
3. Add the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt and vanilla extract to the melted butter, whisk until fully combined. Add egg and yolk and whisk until the mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk again for 30 seconds. Repeat this process 2 more times, until the mixture is thick, smooth and shiny. (The dissolved sugar caramelizes more easily, creating a toffee flavor and influences a crispy texture on the outer edges, but still leaving a chewy center.) Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips. Give the dough a final stir to ensure no bits of flour remain.
4. Working with 3 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll into balls and place 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. (You can chill the dough for about 10 minutes to make it more manageable to work with.)
5. Bake one sheet at a time until the cookies are golden brown, still puffy and edges have begun to set, but centers are still soft, about 10-14 minutes, (12 minutes was the perfect time for mine) rotating baking sheet half way through baking. Let cookies sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool. Repeat this process alternating between baking sheets until done. Let cookies cool to room temperature before serving…………………okay everyone knows chocolate chip cookies are best right out of the oven so you don’t really have to pay attention to that last line.