COOKIES WITH BAKING CHOCOLATE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat softened butter and sugars with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon about 1 minute or until fluffy, scraping side of bowl occasionally.
• Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour mixture just until blended (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
• Onto ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Chill dough for 1 hour., Shape teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1-1/2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, for filling, split vanilla bean lengthwise. Using a sharp knife, scrape seeds from center into top of a double boiler over simmering water; discard bean. Add egg whites, granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Whisking constantly, heat mixture until sugar is dissolved and a thermometer reads 160°, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment., Whisk egg white mixture on high until it cools to room temperature, 8-10 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; gradually add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase speed to high; beat until smooth., To assemble, transfer filling to a reusable pastry bag. Pipe about 1 teaspoon on bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Store in airtight containers.