Big and Soft M&M Cookies (adapted from A Pinch of Yum)
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup shortening (I used butter flavored. Real butter will make the cookies flat and crispy)
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour, plus 2-4 Tablespoons
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1½ cups M&M's
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugars and shortening and beat on medium-low until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Whisk the 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, and baking soda together in a seperate bowl, then add to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined. Add the extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough feels stiff and almost dry. Shouldn't be sticky at all. Stir 1 cup of the M&M's into the dough.
Roll into large balls, like walnut to pingpong ball-sized, and press extra M&M's into the tops (for prettiness, of course!) Flatten each ball slightly with your palm or a wooden spoon. Bake for 10-12 minutes , until the edges or ridges on top just BARELY brown. They will still look underdone. Gently remove from cookie sheet right away and place on cooling rack. Let cool completely before serving, to help the cookies keep their shape.