These are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted! My ex-colleague Irene, who’s an excellent baker, often brought us a batch of this perfect cookie: chunky, not too soft, not too hard… just so yummy. Have a look at the notes for an “oatmeal, nuts and raisins” version. I like to freeze them (after having a few fresh ones!), and have some on hand for cookie emergencies. From frozen, thaw a couple of hour on the counter, or a minute in the microwave is all you need for a warm comforting treat.
Irene’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Servings: 55 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup golden brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco), room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda (NOT baking powder)
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Using electric mixer, in a large deep bowl, beat both sugars, shortening and butter for about 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla, beat for another 3 minutes until fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda.
- Add dry mixture to the butter mixture and blend well with a strong wooden spoon (it is a bit hard). Add the chocolate chips and mix well. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Line good cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Pick up dough by heaping teaspoons and very lightly shape by hand into sort of messy irregular balls and drop on the sheets, not too close together. The size of the dough ball is a good guide to the distance between them.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, just until they are golden. It you bake too long, they will be crispier, and not as soft.
Notes
Chocolate chips: Feel free to add more! Irene uses 18 oz.
Variation: Chocolate chip oatmeal, nuts and raisins – Instead of 3 cups of flour, use 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of quick oats. Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or sliced toasted almonds, and 1/4 cup of raisins or cranraisins or unsweetened shredded coconut.
