Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies!

These were entitled "Best Chocolate Chip Cookies" on the website where I found the recipe.  It was adapted from a book whose author adapted it from Cooks Illustrated.  At this point, including my adaptations, I'm not sure how well it resembles its source material... but it's definitely one of the best recipes I've tried!

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 3/4 stick butter (14 tbsp)
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut extract  (the secret ingredient)
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
12 oz. chocolate chips

Whisk together flour and baking soda in a medium bowl.  Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Put 10 tbsp of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Allow the butter to melt for 2 minutes and begin to swirl it around the pan, allowing it to brown.  Keep the butter moving so it doesn't burn.  Browning should take about 3 minutes and you'll know it's done when it smells nutty and has a dark golden brown color.  Remove the pan from heat and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.  Add the remaining 4 tbsp of cold butter to the melted butter and stir gently until it's melted.

Add the white and brown sugar, vanilla and coconut extract and salt to the butter and whisk the ingredients together.  Add the egg and egg yolk and whisk again until the mixture is smooth (about 30 seconds).  Allow the batter to rest for 3 minutes, then whisk again for another 30 seconds.  Do this two more times; the result should be thick and shiny.

Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined, about 1 minute.  Gently stir in chocolate chips.  The batter will be soft.

Form each cookie with about 2 tbsp of dough onto greased baking sheet.  Bake 3 minutes, then rotate sheet and bake for 4 minutes.  Allow to cool on a wire rack.