• 2 sticks softened* butter or margarine
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 4 cups baking chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. In a medium bowl with a dry whisk, mix the baking powder, salt and the flour well; set aside.
3. Using a mixer, beat the butter (* you can either let the butter sit out on the counter for about a half hour, or you can put it in the microwave for about 45 seconds) until fluffy, ~ 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and mix well, then add the eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Finally, add vanilla extract.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture, then fold in the chips. Make sure that it's well incorporated, but not overmixed - you don't want the cookies to be tough!
5. Using a couple of teaspoons, spoon cookies onto ungreased baking or cookie sheets, leaving enough room in between each moundful (~1 1/2") to allow cookies to spread as they cook.
6. Bake at 350° F for 5-8 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and allow to rest on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes.
8. Move to rack or foil to cool.
9. Repeat with remaining cookie dough; you should be able to bake two sheets at a time.

Optional: Substitute 2 cups of oats for 2 cups of flour, add 1 tablespoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon white sugar, and use raisons in place of chips for easy oatmeal raison cookies.