Columbus Cookies

This recipe came to me from my friend Krista. It is my new all-time FAVORITE chocolate chip cookie recipe. The basic recipe (everything minus the chips) is delicious and works with any type of baking chip, candy, or nut you want to add. (HINT: Don't over mix the dough, and use a light jelly roll pan or pizza stone instead of an airbake cookie sheet)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. softened butter (unsalted)
  
• 1/2 c. butter flavored shortening
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
  
• 1-2 tsp. vanilla
  
• cinnamon (a few good dashes worth should do it)
• 2 1/4 c. white flour (up to about 3/4 c. of whole grain wheat flour can be substituted without changing the flavor too much)
  
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• chocolate chips (Krista prefers milk chocolate; M&Ms and butterscotch chips taste great too!)
  

Directions:

Cream butter, shortening, and sugars just until blended. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. Either mix together flour, salt, and soda separately and then add to wet mixture, OR mix in salt and soda first and then add flour. Mix in chips. (Remember: don't over mix!)

Drop by the spoonful on a greased light jelly roll pan and bake at 350-375F until tops begin to golden (about 8-10 minutes).