The BEST EVER Chocolate Chip (or whatever you want to add) Cookies

One of the very first things I baked over and over again growing up was chocolate chip cookies.  I followed the classic Nestle Tollhouse recipe, and I still know it by heart to this day.  Then, my younger sister started making the Butter-flavored Crisco "Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies" recipe, and they were super yummy too.  However, over the years I got bored with the same old recipes, and I learned a few tips and tricks of my own over the years.  I began making these cookies recently, and they are now my absolute favorite, so I decided to share out the recipe for everyone else because good things are meant to be shared!  (As the title of the recipe says, you can choose whatever you want to add ranging from M&Ms, any variety of baking chips, nuts, or whatever you choose. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup Butter-flavored Crisco Shortening

1/2 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1.5 Tbsp. Vanilla

2 Eggs

2.5 cups Flour

1 Tbsp. Corn Starch

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Baking Powder

2-3 cups M&Ms, Milk, Semi-Sweet, Dark, or White Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips, Butterscotch Chips, Pecans, Walnuts, and/or anything you choose depending on your own taste and cravings

Using a hand or stand mixer, cream together butter, shortening, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.  When smooth, add eggs and mix together until well combined.  Add corn starch, baking soda, salt, and baking powder, and mix together, then gradually add in flour, 1/2-1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition.  When all flour is mixed in and the dough is mixed together and smooth, stir in candy, chips, and/or nuts with a wooden spoon.  

Drop dough by large scoops (about 3-4 tbsp each) on either a baking stone or a  cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  Bake at 375° for 14-16 minutes, then cool for 5 minutes before removing from baking pan.  Allow to cool on racks or on paper towels covered in waxed paper before stacking and storing in an airtight container.