So, it was a chilly, rainy Saturday…the perfect kind of day for baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies. But, I haven’t been baking cookies lately. Why? The price of butter! Last year at this time I could buy butter at $4.99 for 2 pounds. This year it’s $4.99 for 1 pound! I’ve tried margarine, like my mother used to use, but it makes the cookies too crisp…which explains a lot about the cookies of my youth.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I still buy butter. But, as my mother would say, I keep it for “special.” So, I came up with a solution. I decided to swap out half of the butter for vegetable shortening…you know, the stuff in the can…C****O. Talk about being pleasantly surprised! My usual soft and chewy cookies not only retained their softness, but the outsides came out with just a bit of a crunch. I actually think they’re better than the originals. Who would have thought?
“Budget” Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
2 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour- 1 Tsp. Baking Soda
- ½ Tsp. Salt
- ¼ Tsp. Cinnamon
- ½ Cup Butter (at room temperature)
- ½ Cup Vegetable Shortening
- 1 ½ Cups firmly packed Brown Sugar (light or dark)
- 2 Tsp. Vanilla
- 2 Large Eggs (at room temperature)
- 12 oz. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Chopped Nuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
In a separate bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and shortening until creamy.- Add sugar and vanilla and, with a mixer, beat on medium speed until well blended.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well.
- Add flour mixture, beat slowly to incorporate, then blend well.
Stir in chocolate chips (and nuts if using).- Drop batter in 2 tablespoon portions (I use a 2 tbsp. scoop) about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake in a preheated 375° oven until edges are brown but the centers are still pale…10-12 minutes. If using 2 pans, switch positions halfway through baking time to ensure equal browning.
- Let cookies cool on the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack with a spatula.
- Serve warm or cool. Enjoy!
