green m&m cookies

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Truer words could not be spoken about M&M cookie recipes. Mommom has been using the recipe on the back of the M&M bag probably since it was first printed. I've tried several M&M cookie recipes and they just don't compare. I picked up a bag of the custom color M&Ms in green so that I could add a little St. Patrick's Day festivity to this old fashioned recipe. 

If my memory serves me right in regards to stories of my childhood, this may be one of the first cookies that my Mommom snuck to me. My wee little self gummed that cookie to its destruction. Kimmie - 1; Cookie - 0. {We won't even try to estimate the current count, but I can guarantee I'm still on top!}

A special thanks to Mom for digging this tried and true recipe out of Mommom's recipe box last weekend. I love this recipe for several reasons, mostly because there is no fuss. Mix all of the ingredients and spoon it onto a sheet. No rolling, shaping, decorating etc. Just plain stir and drop goodness. Don't get me wrong, I am normally an all butter kind of gal, but the shortening in this recipe allows the cookies to remain so fluffy - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside - just like I like them.

Old Fashioned M&M Cookies
original recipe from the back of the bag

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups M&Ms

Preparation:
Mix shortening and sugars, mix in vanilla and eggs. In another bowl mix dry ingredients together. Add to sugar mixture, blend well. Stir in how ever many of the M&M's you want. Bake at 375 degrees 10 minutes or until golden brown.