Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law. It's become one of my favorite cookie recipes.  These chocolate chip cookies are wonderful warm out of the oven with a cold glass of milk.

1 c shortening
1 t vanilla
½ t water
¾ c white sugar
¾ c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 ¼ c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 pkg. (12-ounces) chocolate chips

Beat until fluffy: shortening, vanilla, water, sugars, and eggs. Add flour and remaining dry ingredients. When thoroughly mixed, add chocolate chips. Drop by large spoonful on to ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350˚ for 8-10 minutes.


Hint: These cookies turn can be a little tricky. Make sure that you carefully measure your ingredients. The dough is really soft but don't be tempted to add additional flour because it will make the cookies tough. Use a light colored cookie sheet for baking and bake cookies for only 9-10 minutes. They won't look like they're done but if you remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for an additional 5 minutes or so they will continue cooking and won't be overcooked.

Also between batches it's best to cover the bowl of cookie dough with plastic wrap to prevent the dough from drying out. And if the kitchen is warm, you may consider keeping the dough in the refrigerator between batches. If you follow these tips you should end up with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies!