1. Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This simple step ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet without any fuss.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

1. Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is key for a soft and chewy texture. The air you incorporate here will make your cookies light and airy.
2. Add Egg and Flavors: Beat in the egg, bourbon, and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure everything is mixed thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt, ensuring that your cookies rise properly.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. You want to see a few flour streaks left in the dough; that’s perfectly fine!

4. Fold in the Add-Ins

1. Add Pecans and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is where the magic happens, so take your time to incorporate them well.

5. Shape the Cookies

1. Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows room for the cookies to spread as they bake.

6. Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked; this is okay, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
2. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This step helps maintain their shape and texture, giving them a chance to set without becoming too dry.