Canadian Living Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups chocolate chips

In large bowl, cream together butter and shortening. Gradually add sugars, creaming thoroughly. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; blend into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. (At this point, chill dough for 30 minutes in refrigerator. This allows the dough to firm up, and cookies will keep their shape better during baking.)

Drop batter by spoonfuls using a slightly rounded tablespoon or 15 mL measure, onto lightly greased baking sheets. With your hands, flatten cookies slightly and neaten the edges to give an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown around the edges and still slightly underbaked in center. Remove from over and let stand on baking sheet for 5 minutes (cookies will continue to brown a bit more and wrinkle slightly in center). Then remove to racks to cool completely.

Notes: The trick here (to staying thick and meaty) is to make sure your dough is quite cold before it goes into the oven. The trick to not having them crispy is to underbake a little bake. The following recipe is the best in my opinion. I sometimes leave out the nuts and add an extra cup of chocolate chips instead. From the Canadian Living Cookbook - these are theeeee best! - Denise

Makes about 50 cookies
From: Denise Jameson
Source: the Canadian Living Cookbook