• Making cookies might seem daunting if you’ve never tried, but I assure you it’s as easy as pie—well, maybe easier! Let’s break this down step by step.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• In the kitchen, the first thing you want to do is preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C). This is a crucial step as you want your oven ready to go the moment your cookie dough is formed.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Grab a large bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and rolled oats. By combining these dry ingredients first, you’ll ensure even distribution throughout the cookie dough.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

• In another bowl, take your softened unsalted butter and vegetable shortening. Beat them together until it’s creamy. This is where the magic begins. Next, add both the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar. Keep beating until the mix is light and fluffy.

Step 4: Beat in the Eggs and Vanilla

• Now, it’s time for the eggs! Add them one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, pour in the pure vanilla extract. The scent will wrap around you like a warm blanket.

Step 5: Combine the Mixtures

• Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Don’t rush; mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies, and we want a lighter texture.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate and Nuts

• Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chunks, milk chocolate chips, and optional nuts. You want to see chocolate in every cookie—in fact, you should be excited about it.

Step 7: Form the Cookies

• Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough portions onto ungreased baking sheets. Leave some space between each lump of dough. They will spread out.

Step 8: Bake

• Slide your cookie sheets into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still a bit soft. Trust me when I say, the aroma wafting through your kitchen will have everyone coming around.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period is essential. It helps them set up while keeping the gooey center intact.