I have used this recipe since it was published nearly 20 years ago, and it's the only chocolate chip cookie recipe that I use. I have made several variations including adding one or all of the following: shredded coconut, chopped pecans and chopped walnuts. I typically use chopped Ghiradelli semi-sweet dark chocolate instead of chips, and I typically use butter instead of any other kind of shortening. The recipe is very forgiving if you like to create variations and is an excellent base recipe to begin experimenting on your own. Several people have noted that the cookies come out flat. I have found that happens if you don't have a good cookie sheet. If you are serious about baking, invest in a good cookie sheet and you shouldn't have a problem.

Reviewed On: Nov. 1, 2009