Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Soften the butter by microwaving it for about 40 seconds. It should be mostly melted but not hot.

Cream the butter and sugars together using a mixer until smooth. Blend in the vanilla and egg for just 10-15 seconds to avoid overmixing.

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in the mixture until it forms crumbles. Press the crumbles with your hands to make a dough. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Shape the dough into 12 balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes until they're puffy and just turning golden. Don't overbake to keep them soft.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 30 minutes. They will deflate slightly and become wonderfully soft and dense.