Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 12-ounce package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts (filberts) (optional)

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl beat the shortening and margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium high speed for 30 seconds. Add about half of the flour, the brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat mixture till thoroughly combined. Beat in the remaining flour. Stir in chocolate pieces and, if desired, nuts.
2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375° oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned. Cool cookies on a wire rack.
3. Chocolate-Candy Cookies: Prepare as above, except substitute candy-coated milk chocolate pieces for the semisweet chocolate pieces.
4. Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies: Prepare as above, except drop dough from a 1/4 cup measure or scoop about 4 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or till edges are lightly browned. Makes about 20.
5. Macadamia Nut and White Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Prepare as above, except substitute chopped white baking bars (or pieces) with cocoa butter or vanilla-flavored confectioners' coating for the semisweet chocolate pieces. Stir in one 3 1/2-ounce jar macadamia nuts, chopped, with the white chocolate.