Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 15 to 18 (3-inch) cookies

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 11 tablespoons (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 11 tablespoons (⅔ cup) vegetable shortening, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 extra large eggs, cold
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups (16 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, shortening, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract and beat on medium-low speed until mixed with just small chunks of butter remaining, approximately 30 seconds. Every time you mix ingredients, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to be sure all ingredients are included in the mix—every bit matters! Add half of the dry ingredient mixture and mix on low speed until just incorporated and no flour is visible, about 30 seconds. Add half of the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the flour is incorporated and all butter chunks are gone, approximately 20 seconds. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is not sticky to the touch, about 20 seconds. Be careful not to overmix, that's how you get flat cookies! Stir in the chocolate chips.