Preheat oven 350º

Whisk together in a bowl flour and baking soda, set aside

In a separate bowl combine butter with sugar and brown sugar; Beat on medium speed with hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy

Reduce speed to low add salt, vanilla and eggs. Beat until well mixed about 1 minute

Add flour mixture, mix until just combined

Stir in chocolate chips (and nuts optional)

Drop or roll into tablespoon sized balls 2 inches apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Bake until cookies are golden around the edges but still soft in the middle Approximately 8-10 minutes

Remove from oven cool 1 to 2 minutes. After cooled flatten slightly with the back of a spoon and let cool a few minutes more.

Store baked cookies in air tight container up to a week at room temperature. Store unused raw cookie dough in air tight container in refrigerated up to 2 weeks or more