Preheat oven to 350° Line cookie sheets with parchment or a Silpat. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter and both white and dark brown sugar in a large bowl for three minutes. On low, whisk the eggs and vanilla. Slowly incorporate flour mixture until just combined. Especially in altitude, please avoid over-mixing. Pinch dough between thumb and index finger. It shouldn't stick. If it doesn't release, add more flour. I used the whole extra half cup flour. Once you reach the right consistency, stir in the chocolate chips and optional pecans. Mix well.
Chilling the dough is your call. I've baked immediately, waited one hour, and a day. I didn't notice a tremendous difference, so go by how fast I want to serve cookies.
First use a cookie scoop as a gauge, then roll the dough by hand and place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Stud or push the chocolate chips into the tops of the dough.
Baking times vary because of ovens and based on how chilled your dough is, but for big cookies, bake for 8-10 minutes. As the dough chills between baking, the time increases too. Cookies are finished when the edges are golden and the tops appear brown but slightly underdone. Remove cookies and let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. I hope you LOVE!
freezer option one: scoop dough into portions on a baking sheet, freeze for a couple of hours, then add to an airtight container and label with the date. Once ready to bake, follow the recipe directions. They may bake for the same time listed straight out of the freezer.
freezer option two: freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for one month.