Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Serves 36 · via kingarthurbaking.com

Ingredients

• light brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• unsalted butter
• vegetable shortening
• table salt
• King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
• almond extract
• cider vinegar or white vinegar
• baking soda
• egg
• King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• semisweet chocolate chips*

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sugars, butter, shortening, salt, vanilla and almond extracts, vinegar, and baking soda, beating until smooth and creamy.
3. Beat in the egg, again beating until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Mix in the flour, then the chips.
5. Use a spoon (or a tablespoon cookie scoop) to scoop 1 1/4" balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2" between them on all sides; they'll spread.
6. For enticing salty-sweet flavor, sprinkle a touch of sea salt atop the cookies before putting them in the oven, if desired.
7. Bake the cookies for 11 to 12 minutes, until their edges are chestnut brown and their tops are light golden brown, almost blonde.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven, and cool on the pan until they've set enough to move without breaking. Repeat with the remaining dough.
9. Store cookies, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days; freeze for longer storage.