• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather all your tools and ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Using a nut chopper, coarsely chop pecans.

Prepare the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening, butter, and sugars. Add eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
• In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture and beat well. Scrape bowl with spatula as needed.
• Fold in chopped pecans, bittersweet chocolate chips, and plain M & M's until incorporated.

Drop and Bake the Cookies

• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Bake in preheated oven for 10-14 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. Makes 36-48 cookies.