The Automat's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are the BEST chocolate chip cookies that I have ever made. (And I have made a lot of chocolate chip cookies!)

3/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

9-ounce bag semi-chocolate chips ***

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In an electric mixer, blend the shortening with the white and brown sugars until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the baking soda, salt, vanilla, and eggs, and beat until mixed. Stir in the flour slowly and beat at low speed until well blended. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop the mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. With a metal spatula, remove the cookies to wire racks to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough. Store the cookies in a tightly covered container.

*** I substituted the semi-sweet chips for Special Dark chips and it was a good swap.