• 2 sticks room temp. GOOD butter
• ½ cup shortening or lard
• 3 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• ½ cup GOOD hot fudge sauce
• 4¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 20-24 ounces GOOD chocolate chunks or chips (dark, milk, etc.)
• 3 cups toasted nuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream the butter and shortening in an electric mixer.
3. Add the brown sugar one cup at a time, then the eggs one at a time.
4. Add the vanilla and the hot fudge sauce.
5. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Mix well and SLOWLY add to the butter/sugar/egg mixture.
7. Finally, add the chocolate of your choice and (optional) toasted nuts.
8. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls on a parchment lined baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until they are JUST TURNING golden brown.
10. If you desire, you can chill the dough and use as needed (keeps in the fridge for 4 days freeze if you plan on keeping it longer).

This is my perfected (to date) chocolate chip cookie recipe. After years of baking other people's recipes, I think I've got a sinfully rich one with the right balance of chewy and crispy. My family and co-workers rave about them!