Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.

Prepare the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.

Fold in the Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using) until evenly distributed.

Shape the Cookies:
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart-shaped cookies. If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, you can also shape them by hand using a knife.

Bake:
Place the heart-shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

Cool and Decorate:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, decorate the cookies with sprinkles or drizzle with melted chocolate for a festive touch.