Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had a request for this recipe on another site, so I thought I'd share with everyone on my blog as well. Enjoy!

3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups chocolate chips*
1 cup chopped oats (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift flour together with baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugars, and vanilla. Mix in eggs. Beat in flour mixture, making sure to smooth out any lumps. Stir in chocolate and then oats if using. Drop dough by teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until golden.

*Use any combination of chocolate. Milk (or semisweet) with white is delicious. Try dark. Raspberry flavored offers a sweet variation. This recipe also works well with toffee, peanut butter chips, mint chips, you name it. Have fun and try out different combinations.

Notes: The secret to this recipe is adding enough flour. Most chocolate chip recipes don't call for enough, so you get flat, crispy cookies. Add at least 3 1/2 cups flour, but go by the feel of the dough. If it is too sticky or runny, add a bit more flour. If you happen to overdo it on the flour, add in a bit of butter or, in a pinch, some water to thin it a little.