Step 1 Heat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda.
Step 2 In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Over low speed, slowly beat in the salt and vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time. Slowly beat in the flour mixture until fully incorporated to form the dough, then stir in the chocolate pieces.
Step 3Place 1/4 cup of the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing the cookies 3 to 4 inches apart, as the cookies will spread as they bake. Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until the edges are crisp and golden and the centers are soft, 12 to 18 minutes depending on the oven and temperature of the dough. Rotate the sheet halfway through baking for even coloring.
Step 4Cool the cookies for 2 minutes, then sprinkle Maldon salt lightly over the center of each before cooling completely.