Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread

These baked goods are loaf shaped, with a “soft cookie” consistency and are a family favorite… most requested dessert during the holidays, too! 1/2 cup shortening or margerine 1/2 cup oil 4 eggs 1 T vanilla 2 1/2 cups sugar 4 cups flour 4 scant tsp. baking powder 1 pinch salt (1) 12 oz bag of Trader Joe’s chocolate chips (semi-sweet) With an electric mixer beat shortening, oil, sugar (one cup at a time) vanilla & eggs (one at a time)in that order until blended. Seperatley mix flour, baking powder & salt in a large bowl (I use a whisk…no need to sift flour if you do!). Add dry ingredients to wet a little at a time in the mixer until blended. A soft dough will form. Change mixing blades to dough hooks and knead in chocolate chips (or this may be done by hand with a spatula if no dough hooks available). Divide dough into four (4) equal amounts. Shape into narrow loaves on cookie sheet, two (2)per sheet (loaves will spread, so leave room between them). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes..if they appear too pale leave in oven for additional 5 minutes with the heat off…they’ll start to lose their “pallor”. Cool on bake sheets. Slice just before serving. Store in large zip lock bag with a slice of fresh bread (any kind) to avoid them going stale quickly. They keep well using this method, but in reality, there will be very little left over…yum! They also freeze well tightly wrapped in aluminum foil, too.