In a medium bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside. In saucepan, over medium heat, bring sugar, butter and water to boil.

Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup chips and vanilla or any flavoring you like or both! Stir till smooth. Cool 5 minutes. Beat in eggs 1 at a time until well mixed. Add flour mixture and combine.

Add 1 cup (I reserve a handful so I can sprinkle on top -- you don't have to) chips and combine quickly so as not to completely melt the chips ( if they do -- it is OK they still come out great!).

Pour into a greased, parchment lined 8x8 square pan. I noticed that the parchment paper helps a great deal.

Since I doubled it, I used an 11 x 17 pan.

Bake in a preheated oven set at 325. for 35 minutes. (if doubling it let bake for an additional 3-5 minutes). Cool completely.