1 1/2 sticks butter (12 tablespoons)
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins, soaked in hot water (optional)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate mint chips

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars. Add eggs.

Sift flour and measure out 2 1/4 cups. After measuring the sifted flour, sift again with remaining dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir in vanilla, nuts and chocolate chips.

Drop the cookie batter by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet leaving 1-inch between cookies.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are set and firm and only lightly colored. Do not allow cookies to brown.

Transfer to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. Cookies may be wrapped well and frozen.

Submitted by: CM