Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 8 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (filberts, optional, optional) (optional) or 1 cup pecans (filberts, optional, optional) (optional) or 1 cup hazelnuts (filberts) (optional)

Recipe

• 1 line a 13x9-inch pan with foil (release foil works great); set aside.
• 2 in a large mixing bowl beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds; add brown sugar, sugar or splenda, and baking soda; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
• 3 beat in eggs and vanilla until combined; beat in as much of the flour as you can with you mixer; using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.
• 4 stir in chocolate and nuts; press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
• 5 bake at 375°f for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown and center is set; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour.
• 6 preheat oven to 325°f; holding securely to the foil lining, gently remove cookies from pan and place on cutting board, leaving cookies on foil lining.
• 7 cut cross-wise into 9 x 1/2-inch slices; place slices, cut side down, about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet; bake for 6-8 minutes or until cut edges are crispy; carefully transfer cookies to wire rack (cookies will be tender); cool.