Chocolate Chippers

When I think of my first baking experiences, I think of making these cookies with my mom.  Simple and delicious, sometimes nothing beats a traditional chocolate chip cookie.  These are always among the cookies that I make at the holidays, and they are one of the few that I will make throughout the year, as well.  They are so good and easy that I almost always double the recipe and throw some in the freezer.  My kids enjoy making them with me, just as I did with my mom.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cream together shortening, sugars, egg, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
2. Thoroughly stir together flour, salt, and baking soda; stir into cream mixture.  Blend well.  Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Drop from teaspoon 2 inches apart on a non-stick baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cool.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Difficulty: easy

Time: 10 minutes prep, 8-10 minutes per batch baking

Source: my mom's recipe box