The Practically Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 375F.
2. 2
   Mix the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.
3. 3
   Use a stand-type electric mixer to mix the two sugars briefly at low speed.
4. 4
   Add the butter in small gobbets, mixing first at low speed and then at high.
5. 5
   Beat the mixture until it's pale, light, and very fluffy.
6. 6
   Add the vanilla at the mixer's lowest speed, then beat at high speed for a few seconds.
7. 7
   Add the eggs, again at the lowest speed, switching to high speed for the final second or so.
8. 8
   The eggs should be well beaten in, and the mix should look creamed, not curdled.
9. 9
   Add the flour mixture, a half cup at a time, mixing at low speed for about one minute, then at high speed for a few seconds.
10. 10
    Scrape down the bowl's sides with a spatula, add the chocolate chips, and mix at low speed for about 10 seconds.
11. 11
    If need be, scrape the bowl's sides again and mix for a few more seconds.
12. 12
    Put tablespoons of the mix on an ungreased cookie sheet.
13. 13
    Bake until the cookies are pale golden brown (nine minutes in an electric oven, 10 to 11 minutes in a gas one).
14. 14
    Remove and let cool on a rack.