regarding chocolate chip cookies I use the chocolate chip recipe on the bag but double the vanilla and add more chips than called for. I also add a bit more flour.   What I want to achieve is that old time chocolate chip cookie that is chewy flat and wide.  Can you offer a suggestion.  I still would use more chips and vanilla unless that might cause a problem.
I am so glad I came apon your sight.
I usually stick with the venerable Alton Brown's 'The Chewy' recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/the-chewy-recipe.html

I often add a few extra tablespoons of wheat-gluten to make them even chewier. 

You could reduce the amount of leavening (i.e. the baking soda (or any baking powder)) if you want a flatter cookie, but my results with the above recipe end-up pretty flat. Adding more vanilla and chips shouldn't make any difference in the end-product's texture, but I'd stick to the formula on flour for your first try.