(magic) Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posting this, as requested by Kristen.
You would think cookies are easy, but I have often had a hard time getting them to turn out right. Either they are flat, the dough is sticky, or over cooked.... there is normally something wrong.
I have tried hard to change my ways, and work out how to make cookies!
I have tried numerous recipes, and this one seems to work for me all the time.
which is weird, because I find most recipes are almost identical.
I think there are just a few things I do that make them work.

1. Temperature of the butter.
I have read that leaving the butter on the counter to become room temperature may make it too soft, depending on the temperature on the day. I actually do something you are not meant to do... that is, microwave it. You just have to be careful not to over microwave it. I find that 2 sticks (or 1 cup) for 30sec, seems to be right. enough so you have a finger print in the top, but not so it is melted at all! (if you over melt it, leave it on the counter and it will set up again).

Also, butter is better.

2. Stir, stir, stir.
I know how to read recipes, but I often do my own thing. In the past I would use my hand beaters in the beginning and think 'what difference will it make' and keep using them for the rest of the recipe. But the recipe says 'stir in remaining ingredients' if you don't stir, they don't work. Also, don't over stir, they get too sticky.

3. Cook time.
The recipe states 8-10 minutes. I always find they need 8, or less. Depending on your oven. This takes practice I think. Often I have checked them at 8, they are not cooked and I cook them longer, then they are over cooked. Remember carry-over cooking. Once you take them out, and leave them on the tray to cook for a few minutes they continue to cook. I take them out when they are golden around the edges and let them cook for 2 minutes before taking them off the pan. The middle can look a little doughy sometimes. But any longer and they are over cooked.

I am no expert, but this is what I have found to work for me. Of course every oven is different, so you may just have to practice (I am sure no ones husband will complain! If they are anything like mine they will eat it no matter what they look like!)

So, here is the recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookies
adapted from Betty Crocker

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or 12 oz bag)

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees

2. In large bowl, beat sugars, butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. STIR in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Roll cookies into balls with your hands, and place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool 1-2 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on wire rack.