Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the oven rack in the middle.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips (or other mix-ins) using a spatula.
Portion the Dough: Scoop dough balls about 2 tablespoons in size, rolling them into smooth balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still slightly soft. For a chewier cookie, remove them just before the edges fully set.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.