Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!!!

These are by far the best cookies I have ever made!  I think what makes them so amazing is that you actually have to caramelize the butter and it makes the dough have such an amazing flavor!  Trust me, you won't regret trying this recipe! 

1 3/4 cups of unbleached all purpose four
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chunks--I like to cut up Hershey's Bliss chocolate
3/4 cups chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.  Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.  Whick flour and baking soda together in medium bowl, set aside.

2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10 inch skillet over medium heat until melted, about 2 minutes.  Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes.  Remove skillet from heat and using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl.  Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.

3. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated.  Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds.  Let mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds.  Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny.  Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.

4. Drop dough on prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake cookies 1 tray and a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft., 9-11 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking.