Almost everyone loves Chocolate Chip Cookies. The variations are endless, as are the different textures – chewy, crispy, cakey, etc, but the traditional classic is slightly crisp edges with a soft and slightly chewy middle, which isn’t always easy to achieve. Recently, my friend Marian, told me that she heard that by making a few changes to her classic recipe (the one most of use –Toll House Cookies or the one from the Better Homes and Gardens red and white checked cookbook), her cookies would be much better. The two changes are using half butter and half shortening instead of just shortening, and using half baking soda and half baking powder instead of all baking soda. These are easy changes, but, like Marian, I followed the advice and my cookies turned out better than any I have ever baked.

The texture is perfect - crunchy on the outside and soft and slightly chewy on the inside. The flavor is a bit buttery, and these Marian’s Better Than Anyone’s Chocolate Chippers are now a hands-down favorite with the Official Hancock Tasters.

9 dozen cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla

4 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line several baking sheets with silicone liners, parchment, or spray with non-stick spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla till light and fluffy.
3. Place a fine strainer over the mixture and measure in the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; shake the mixture through. Mix at low speed until well-mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Using a 1" scoop, scoop balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges just start to brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to cooling racks.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 102 Calories from Fat 52
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 51% Protein 4% Carb. 45%

Nutrient Amount per Cookie
Total Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 12 mg
Sodium 85 mg
Total Carbohydrate 11 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 4 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 1%