yield: makes about 36 large cookies, active time 20 minutes, total time 35 minutes

4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
1 ¼ cups plus 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1⅔ pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped into bite-size pieces