Gma Betty's Party Cookies (Everything Cookies)

Ingredients

• 2 cup butter flavored shortening (HAS to be butter flavored (e.g., Crisco))
• 2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs (large)
• 2.5 tsp vanilla paste or extract (author uses a mix of paste and extract)
• 4.5 cup all purpose flour (plus up to 1/4 cup more if needed for texture)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• salt (a good pinch)
• 0.25 cup mini m&m's
• 0.25 cup chocolate chips
• 0.25 cup potato chips (Old Dutch brand recommended)
• 0.25 cup graham crackers or teddy grahams (crushed)
• 0.25 cup butterscotch chips
• 0.25 cup mini marshmallows
• 0.25 cup pretzels (crushed)
• maldon flaky salt (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. 2

   Prepare a large baking sheet (or two) by lining them with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or coating them with cooking spray.

3. 3

   In the bowl of a large stand mixer, add the 2 cups of butter-flavored shortening. Turn the machine on a low setting to begin creaming the shortening.

4. 4

   Add the 2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, 4 eggs, and 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla paste or extract to the shortening. Mix until well combined, which should take about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and a good pinch of salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low to medium speed until combined. The texture should feel like easy-to-squeeze playdough; if it is too soft, add the additional 1/4 cup of flour.

6. 6

   Add all the mix-ins: mini M&Ms, chocolate chips, crushed potato chips, graham crackers, butterscotch chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed pretzels. You may find it easier to fold these in by hand.

7. 7

   Measure out the dough balls by rolling them to a size where your pointer finger can touch your thumb. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 3 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

8. 8

   Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are perfectly browned. The author recommends exactly 12 minutes for the best result.

9. 9

   Remove from the oven and immediately garnish with a sprinkle of Maldon flaky salt. Let the cookies cool slightly on the pan before serving.

Notes

This is a great 'kitchen sink' base dough. You can use any odds and ends from your snack or baking cabinet. The butter-flavored shortening is essential for the specific flavor and texture of this recipe.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cookies
• baked
• party food
• everything cookies
• sweet and salty