Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

I made these for the guys at work, since I owed them for my prior week's bitchiness and grumpyness. They turned out to be a fabulous hit. Yum!






Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 12-ounce package (2 cups) dark chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts, toasted

Directions
In a large mixing bowl beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Stir in chocolate pieces and, if desired, nuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Makes about 60 cookies.

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies: Prepare as directed, except use a 1/4-cup dry measure or scoop to drop mounds of dough about 4 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Makes about 20 cookies.