Chocolate Chip Cookies

Name: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (Use good-quality butter for the richest flavor and best texture.); 1 cup packed brown sugar (Adds caramel notes and helps create that soft, chewy center.); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (Gives the cookies a delicate crispness around the edges.); 2 large eggs (Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the dough.); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (Choose pure vanilla for deeper flavor.); 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (Spoon and level for accuracy so the cookies do not turn dry.); 1 teaspoon baking soda (Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.); 1 teaspoon salt (Balances sweetness and sharpens the chocolate flavor.); 2 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (Semi-sweet is classic, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate works too.); 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (For crunch.); 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (To intensify the chocolate flavor.); a handful flaky sea salt (For a polished finish.)