The 'Base'

Chocolate-Chip Cookies.  I used to make them absolutely all the time.  For potlucks, of course, but for garage sales, for girls-nights, for birthday parties.  For my husband.  The following 'cookie base' is the best of the best, I promise.  For your chips, add the standard semi-sweet chocolate, or try milk chocolate, white chocolate or butterscotch.  I know they have all types of interesting chips out now - give a new variety a try just for fun!

"Chip" Cookie Base

Cream together:

1 cup butter-flavored Crisco (yes, get the brand name)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

mix together dry ingredients:

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp kosher salt

Gradually add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add chips to the mix and scoop (I use a medium-sized scoop to keep the size consistent) onto baking stones*.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 - 13 minutes.

*More on baking stones in a upcoming post.