Prepare the following ingredients for baking cookies.
Ingredients to make cookies: 
- 1/2 cup white sugar 
- 1/2 cup brown sugar 
- 1/2 cup butter 
- 3-4 eggs 
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 
- 1/2 teaspoon salt 
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
- 1/2 cup white chopped nuts (optional)
For baking cookies, you will need butter, sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease baking sheets with butter or non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in flour, baking soda and salt, and mix until a dough forms. Form the dough into a ball and roll it out on a floured surface, then cut out cookies with a cookie cutter. Place the cookies on the greased baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through. Finish with vanilla extract and allow cookies to cool before serving.