Zia Maria Greco's Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Nonnina’s father passed away when she was very young, and still living in Italy. His sister, (Nonnina’s aunt) who had got married and moved to Canada, had wanted to ensure that she was always taking care of her nieces and nephews so she sponsored them to come to Canada. Nonnina and her family have always been close to their Zia Maria Greco, and one of their fondest memories of her is her chocolate chip walnut cookies with the signature fork print. This was a go-to recipe for her and one that her grand children, nieces, nephews and beyond would enjoy each time they visited her at her home on Joyce Parkway and her cottage in Wasaga Beach. Occasionally she would enlist her family members as sous chefs and have them learn and help her make them. She would always have a batch on hand for any visitors who might drop by.

INgredients:

  • 2/3 cups of Crisco

  • 2/3 cups of white sugar

  • 2/3 cup brown sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 TSPs vanilla extract

  • 2 3/4 cups of cake flour

  • 2 tsps. of baking powder

  • 3/4 cups whole walnuts

  • 3/4 cups of chocolate chips

directions:

  1.  Preheat the oven to 350° F

  2.  Put the walnuts in a Ziploc bag and pound it break up in to pieces. Not too fine.

  3. Nonnina’s Tip: It’s better to use whole walnuts and break them up verses buying walnut pieces because they are juicier and you get all forms of the nut. This means a finer texture with both small and big pieces. When you buy walnut pieces, they tend to dry out because they are smaller pieces.

  4. With an electric mixture, mix together the white sugar and Crisco until well combined.

  5. Add brown sugar to the mixer and mix on medium speed until well combined.

  6. Begin adding eggs one at a time, then add in the vanilla extract. Stopping periodically to scrape down the bowl to ensure all the ingredients combine.

  7. Add the baking powder into the flour. Add to wet ingredients in thirds, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

  8. Lastly add the chocolate and walnuts and mix.

  9. Roll in to 1 inch balls and press down with fork.

  10. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown on the top and bottom.

Buon Appetito!

With Love From, Nonnina