Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Browned butter, lots of brown sugar
and toasted nuts add depth and richness
to the world’s best chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 cup unsalted butter
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground sea salt, plus additional for sprinkling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Generously butter cookie sheets.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat;
stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
Boil 1-2 minutes, whisking frequently, until golden brown;
stir in walnuts until well coated. Place on a sheet pan,
and bake for 5 minutes or until well toasted; cool.

Melt 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat;
continue to cook the butter, whisking frequently,
until it starts to brown and foam, about 5-7 minutes.
Set aside.

In a medium sized mixing bowl,
sift together flour and baking soda;
stir in 2 teaspoons salt until combined.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed,
beat 1/2 cup softened butter, brown sugar and 1 cup granulated sugar
until well combined and grainy, about 1 minute;
beat in browned butter for 1 additional minute.
Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in
flour mixture until just combined; stir in chocolate
and walnuts with a wooden spoon until combined.
Chill dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour. (You could speed up this process by placing the dough in the freezer for about 45 minutes.)

Drop 1/4 cup measures of dough onto cookie sheet,
forming into large mounds, and flatten slightly.
Bake at 375 degrees F. for 12-14 minutes,
or until golden brown around edges.
Cool 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks.