Combine the flour and baking soda, set aside.

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add vanilla and both sugars and beat until fluffy. Beat in the egg.

At low speed, beat in cocoa, then milk. With a wooden spoon, mix in dry ingredients just until blended. If using the nuts, stir them in with all the chocolate chips.

Using a teaspoon, measure out rounded teaspoons for each cookie and place them onto a nonstick or foil-lined baking sheet. If you have more than one baking sheet and room in your oven, use them too.

Bake the cookies in the oven for about 12 to 13 minutes. When done, remove and cool slightly before removing them from the baking sheets.

This recipe should make about 3 dozen “perfect” chocolate chip cookies.