Chunky Chocolate-Chip Bears

Here is the recipe for the chocolate chip cookies my niece and nephew made with me, they turned out awesome. Natalie said "These are the best cookies I ever had!" Elias just had huge eyes and made happy moaning sounds. This recipe came from a cook book that I got as a gift when I was young called "My First Cook Book" by Rena Coyle. So bear in mind that this recipe is meant for kids and adults to do together so the wording and directions are geared to the kids.

Chunky Chocolate Chip Bears
Preparation time: 30 Minutes
Baking Time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Utensils:
2 cookie sheets
Aluminum foil
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Medium size mixing bowl
Electric mixer
Rubber spatula
Teaspoon
Oven mitts
Spatula

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line the cookie sheets with aluminum foil. (we didn't)
3. Place the flour and baking soda in the medium size bowl and mix it with the fork.
4. Place the butter, shortening, and granulated and brown sugars in the mixer bowl. Mixer for 2 minutes on medium speed. Turn the mixer off and, using the rubber spatula, clean the side of the bowl. Mix again until the sugar and butter are completely blended, about 2 more minutes.
5. Break the egg into the bowl and add the vanilla. Mix at medium speed for 1 minute. Turn the mixer off and scrape the side of the bowl clean.
6. Add about half the flour mixture and mix at low speed until blended. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until blended again.
7. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts and mix at the lowest speed until they are scattered evenly throughout the dough.
8. To make the Teddy Bear shapes, scoop up a mound of dough with the teaspoon and drop it onto a cookie sheet. This dough will make the bear's body. Scoop up a small bit of dough on the tip of the spoon for the head and drop it above the body. Then place 4 small mounds next to the body for the arms and legs. Using your fingers, gently press the body flat and make sure the head and arms and legs are close to the body. Make more Teddy Bears about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.
9. Put the oven mitts on and place the cookie sheets in the oven. Bake until the edges of the cookies begin to turn brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
10. Put the oven mitts on and remove the cookie sheets from the oven to a heatproof surface. Let the cookies cool completely. Gently remove the cookies with the metal spatula.
11. Enjoy!