As American as....chocolate chip cookies

The old saying is "as American as apple pie" but in my world people would much rather have chocolate or peanut butter than apple pie.  

If you have been reading my blog (thank you!!!!!), you will know that my passion for baking comes from my grandmother.  She was a true homemaker in every sense of the word.  She babysat me when I was a child.  There are a fewer things that remind me of her than these chocolate chip cookies.  They have just a bit of crunch on the outside and the inside is soft and chewy...especially if you eat them when they are still a little bit warm.

This recipe is not her exact recipe, but it's the closest thing I can find to hers.  I usually have to make a big batch, so I double the original recipe.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

ingredients:

1/2 cup soft shortening (I use stick margarine)

3/4 cup sugar (half brown sugar/half granulated)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1-1/8 cup flour (measure before sifting)

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1 small package of chocolate chips

Mix together the shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla.  (I used my KitchenAid and let it go for about 5 minutes).  Stir in the sifted dry ingredients and add nuts and chips.  Drop by teaspoons 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.  Yield: 2 dozen.