Chocolate Candy-Brownie Cookies

A very easy-to-make, rich, and crispy chocolate cookie. A popular favorite at bake sales when you use colorful candies for the occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 0.3333333333333333 cup butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces (such as M&M's®)

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and set dry ingredients aside.
3. Cream brown sugar, shortening, white sugar, and butter together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Mix at medium-high speed until creamy and light. Blend in eggs 1 at a time until thoroughly mixed. Add vanilla extract and water; blend thoroughly.
4. Add dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture slowly while mixing until completely incorporated. Reserve 1/2 cup chocolate candy pieces and fold remaining candies into batter.
5. Drop batter by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Press a few reserved candies onto the top of each cookie.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 7 to 9 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.