Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies! And one of my favorite things to do is make them with my kids! When our church announced their annual Chili contest and Chocolate Chip Cookies constest, I signed right up. I was so excited to bake them with my daughter Abigail, unfortunately she came down with a bad cold and was not able to help. That should have been my first hint that this was not going to go well.

Now I believe in being truthful. I could sugar coat this blog with all these great desserts and wonderful pictures of everything that came out right, but it wouldn't be an accurate reflection of myself.

So be prepared, these cookies bottomed out! My second hint that it wasn't going to be a successful batch was when I went to pull out my ingredients and realized that I hadn't bought a new box of baking soda. If you are not aware, fresh baking soda is best, and if it has been sitting around for a while like mine was, don't use it for cookies! Go out and buy a new box!

Or was it the baking soda? One way to check how active your shelved baking soda still is, it to add vinegar. I wish I would have known this before. After making my cookies, I learned that I need to cut down on my butter and add shortening instead. I have been making my cookies for years now, and do enjoy them when the come out right but there are some times, not often when they come out like these did. I am not a fan of shortening, so I am putting this out there..

Do you use shortening in your chocolate chip cookies, and/or what tricks work for you that avoid having flat cookies?