1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.

2. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and baking soda. Beat on medium 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

   Test Kitchen Tip: Brown sugar is available in both light and dark varieties. Either works fine here. Light brown sugar is more subtle because it has less molasses. Dark brown sugar has a slightly more pronounced and complex flavor similar to caramel or toffee.

3. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.

4. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.

5. Stir in chocolate pieces and, if desired, nuts.

6. Drop dough by small spoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (cookies may not appear set). Cool on cookie sheets 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Makes about 48 cookies.

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prepare as directed, except use a 1/4-cup dry measure or scoop to drop mounds of dough about 4 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375° F oven for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Makes about 20 cookies.

Macadamia Nut and White Chocolate Cookies

Prepare as directed, except substitute chopped white baking bars or white chocolate baking squares for the semisweet chocolate pieces. Stir in one 3½-ounce jar macadamia nuts, chopped, with the chopped white baking bars or squares.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Prepare as directed, except press dough into an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake in a 375°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 48 bars.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizzas

Prepare as directed, except do not stir in chocolate pieces and nuts. Press half of the dough into an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan. Sprinkle half of the chocolate pieces and half of the nuts over the top, pressing in lightly. Repeat with a second ungreased 12-inch pizza pan and the remaining dough and toppings. Bake in a 375°F. oven about 15 minutes or until golden. Frost as desired. Cut each pizza into 8 wedges, then cut a circle through wedges halfway between the center and the edge of the pan. Makes 32 pieces total.