These cookies also include some chocolate chips. Or, actually, I used some red, white and green chips along with the chocolate. They don't show up very much on the outside of the cookies, but you'll see them when you bite into them.
I suppose I could have sprinkled a few chips on top to make them more visible, but I don't mind that they're little hidden gems.
I got the pine nuts from my friends at Frieda's Specialty Produce and right now there's a coupon on their site for $1 off, AND you might find some specials at your local King Soopers or Kroger store. If you haven't tried pine nuts before, might as well give it a go while they're a little bit cheaper, right?
Chocolate Chip and Pine Nut Chocolate Cookies
Makes 5 dozen cookies
2 cups (9 ounces) all purpose flour1/2 cup cocoa powder*
2 teaspoons baking powder
10 tablespoons shortening (I used the butter flavored)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) pine nuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips (white, dark, or colored chips)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line several baking sheets with parchment paper
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together. Set aside.
In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a bowl, using an electric mixer), cream the shortening, sugar, and salt until it's light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and beat until it's incorporated. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined.Add the flour in thirds, alternating with two additions of the milk, mixing well between each addition. Stir in the pine nuts and the chocolate chips.
With a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop, portion cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving space between them for expansion. Bake at 350 degrees until the cookies are set and no longer shiny on top - about 15 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
