Christmas Cookie Countdown #8: Classic Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I originally intended to make Hazelnut Cookies as part of my Christmas cookie countdown. But I seem to have misplaced my nutcracker and Mike thinks that I try to make fancy cookies too often anyway. So I decided to end this Christmas cookie extravaganza with some good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies. This recipe is the one my mom, sisters, and I have used for years and it's never failed us. These are, by far, my very favorite chocolate chip cookies - both to make and to eat.

This recipe was torn out of a magazine and so weathered that I'm surprised it lasted us as long as it did - in fact, we sadly lost it this year. My mother, however, saved the day as she is prone to doing. She said the recipe is basically the same as the traditional Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with a few tiny adaptations (more oats, less flour, and I always add extra chocolate chips!). So I went to my trusty Nestle chocolate chip package, stuck to the recipe posted there except for a few minor changes, and was relieved to remove from my oven the same delicious chocolate chip cookies my family has been enjoying for years. So here's my slightly adapted Toll House recipe. And if you still have a hankering for Hazelnut Cookies, try out this simple 4-ingredient recipe from Gourmet, but don't forget to track down a handy nutcracker first!

Classic Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

slightly adapted from Nestle Toll House

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in medium sized bowl.

3. Using a stand- and handheld mixer, combine butter, sugars, and vanilla. 

4. Add eggs, mixing well after each addition.

5. Gradually add flour mixture until fully incorporated.

6. Stir is chocolate chips.

7. Shape rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. 

8. Cook for 9-11 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Enjoy!