I’ve mentioned it here before, but my Opa used to work in a bakery. Even after he retired, he continued baking for us at home – especially for the holidays. Now that he’s gone, I’ve taken over his baking. I absolutely love his recipes.

These are crisp around the edges and soft and chewy in the middle – so good. This is one of my favorites for cookie exchanges – since it’s  recipe from the bakery it makes a lot.

I recommend using a food scale to measure the ingredients for the best results.

Opa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
(a family recipe)
Makes 9 dozen

12 oz. brown sugar
12 oz. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3/4 lb. shortening
1/4 lb. butter
5 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 lbs. flour
3 Tbsp. baking powder
1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a stand mixer, cream together the sugars, salt, shortening, and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.

In another bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Cool for five minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Can’t get enough cookies? For #ChristmasCookies Week, I’m linking up with lots of other bloggers sharing awesome recipes. You can find today’s batch of goodies below!

• Cardamom Shortbread by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Chocolate Coconut Almond Dipped Shortbread by Making the Most of Naptime
• Big and Chewy Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies by Cooking with Carlee
• Chocolate Oreo Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies by Soulfully Made
• Chocolate Sugar Cookie Recipe by Making Miracles
• Christmas Sprinkle Cookies by Books n Cooks
• Chunky Cranberry Double Chip Cookies by Family Around the Table
• Coconut Cherry Snowballs by Red Cottage Chronicles
• Coffee Shortbread Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Advenutres
• Double Chocolate Nutella Sandwich Cookies by House of Nash Eats
• Eggnog Cookies by Caroline’s Cooking
• Frosted Eggnog Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Grandma’s Gingersnap Cookies by Tip Garden
• Grinch Cookies by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Heavenly Almond Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck Sruvive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Red Velvet Whoopie Pies by The Freshman Cook
• Thin Mint Crinkle Cookies by Bear & Bug Eats
• Norwegian Chocolate Chip Cookies by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Opa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Rudolph Reindeer Cookies by Everyday Eileen
• Snow Kisses by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Snowflake Cookies by The Redhead Baker
• Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies by The Bitter Side of Sweet