
This vintage Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is a charming mid-century classic, scribbled on a well-used recipe card and packed with nostalgic flavor. Featuring shortening, a mix of white and brown sugar, and just a touch of vanilla, the dough is simple but produces perfectly chewy cookies with crisp edges. Hershey’s chocolate chips provide that iconic chocolate richness, and optional chopped nuts add a satisfying crunch. A timeless after-school treat or bake-sale staple, this recipe is a wonderful slice of Americana and homemade comfort.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup shortening
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 18 tbsp all-purpose flour (sifted )
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup nuts (chopped, optional)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Step 1: Cream Base
- Cream together shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla and egg; beat well.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
Step 3: Add Mix-Ins
- Stir in chopped nuts (if using) and Hershey’s chocolate chips.
Step 4: Shape Cookies
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Cool on wire racks.
Tips
- Substitute butter for shortening for richer flavor (cookies will spread more).
- Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon for a warm, vintage bakery-style variation.
- Swap nuts for pecans, walnuts, or omit entirely for nut-free.
- Stir in Hershey’s Special Dark chips for deeper chocolate flavor.
- Chill dough 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Add ¼ cup oats for a chewier texture.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by 1 minute.
- Mix in butterscotch chips for a retro twist.
- Drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate for presentation.
Nutrition
Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 125mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 60IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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