Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies & Variations

Directions

• Note: If nuts are omitted, use 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

1. Heat oven to 375℉ (190℃).

2. Cream shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Blend until creamy. Blend in egg.

3. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture, gradually.

Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

1. Drop rounded tablespoons full (about 2 measuring tablespoons) of dough 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.

2. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies ( they will look light and moist; don’t over-bake!) or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies.

Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to cooling rack.

Variations for Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1. Melt 1 cup semi-sweet or white melting chocolate with 1 teaspoon butter over VERY low heat or at 50% power in microwave.

Stir well.

If too thick to drizzle, add a little more butter to thin.

Drizzle from end of spoon back and forth over cookie.

Sprinkle with nuts before chocolate hardens, if desired.

To harden chocolate quickly, place cookies in refrigerator for a few minutes.

1. Chocolate dipped:

Melt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and butter over VERY low heat or at 50% power in microwave.

Stir well.

Spoon into a cup.

Dip one end of COOLED cookie in chocolate.

Sprinkle with finely chopped nuts before chocolate hardens.

Place on wax paper.

1. Holiday dress-ups:

Frost cookies with creamy vanilla frosting andecorate with red and green candy coated chocolate pieces.

Creamy Vanilla Frosting:

Combine ½ cup butter, 1 pound ( 4 cups ) confectioners sugar, ⅓ cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl at low speed of electric mixer until well blended.

Scrape bowl.

Beat at high speed for 2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.

Frost COOLED cookies.