Lion House Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love cookies loaded with oatmeal and nuts, but sometimes I crave a basic, no-frills chocolate chip cookie. If you're in the mood for a simple, smooth, chewy and delicious chocolate chip cookie, this is it. Don't forget the milk!

Lion House Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 3/4 cups softened butter
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
5 1/2 Tbs water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp soda
3 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, water, and vanilla and mix until creamy. Add the flour, salt, and soda. Mix well. Gently fold in chocolate chips, mixing only until chips are evenly distributed. (Overmixing results in broken chips and discolored dough.) Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 5 to 6 dozen 3 1/2-inch cookies.

Notes: Be sure to pay attention to the 5-6 dozen yield. If you're making this only for your immediate family, I strongly recommend halving the recipe. These cookies are also great for making ice cream sandwiches. They stay moist for a long time and are even better cooled than warm in my opinion, so they are ideal for making ahead of time for a get-together.