Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter flavor shortening

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

2 Tbsp milk

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup pecan pieces

**if nuts are omitted, add an additional 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Heat oven to 375.  Combine shortening, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in large bowl.  Beat at medium speed until creamy.  Beat egg into creamed mixture.  Combine flour, salt, and baking soda and mix into creamed mixture just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips and pecan pieces.  Drop rounded Tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11-13 minutes for crisp cookies