Serves: 5
Total Calories: 714

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar packed light or dark
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg large
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup nuts coarsely chopped (optional)

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt set aside.

In a large mixer bowl at medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Chill in refrigerator for 1 1/2 hours or freeze for 45 minutes or until well chilled, but not hard (chilling makes the dough less sticky and helps prevent excessive spreading during baking).

Preheat oven to 325°. Grease a 12-inch round metal or foil baking pan.

Place dough in center of pan. Press evenly to within 1 1/2 inches of edge of pan. If desired, sprinkle nuts and additional 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top, pressing down lightly. For easier handling, place foil pan on a baking sheet.

Bake in center of oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are firm and no indentation remains in center of cookie when lightly touched. For a softer cookie, bake the minimum time. Place baking pan on a wire rack and cool cookie completely. Cookie can be left in the pan as part of the gift.

When cool, decorate with frosting if desired. Wrap in plastic wrap (see below). Overwrap with foil to retain freshness. Store in a cool place.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 714
Calories from Fat: 328

More Recipes from the Gifts From Your Kitchen Cookbook:
Butter Nut Wafers
Christmas Tarts
Coconut "Snowballs"
Colossal Chocolate Chip Cookie