CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips (or M&Ms)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; blend in eggs and vanilla.  Gradually add combined flour, soda and salt; mix well.  Stir in chips/M&Ms and nuts.  Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool on cookie sheet about 3 minutes; remove cookies to wire rack to cool thoroughly.

Makes about 2 dozen 3 1/2 inch cookies.