Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in oats, chips, and nuts, if using.
  4. Spoon 1/2-cup portions of dough onto greased baking sheets, spacing cookies 6 inches apart and 2 1/2 inches from edges of sheets. Grease bottom of a pie pan (I use cooking spray), dip in granulated sugar, and use to flatten each cookie into 5 inch circle. If necessary, press cookies lightly with your fingers to give them an even thickness.
  5. Bake at 350º until edges are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.