Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon shortening

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan; set pan aside.

Beat butter and 1/4 cup shortening in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir any remaining flour. Stir in miniature semisweet chips and if desired, nuts.

Press dough evenly on bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until evenly golden brown and center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour. Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF.

Use foil to lift baked mixture out of pan and to a cutting board. Remove foil. Cut baked mixture into 9x1/2-inch slices using a serrated knife. Place slices, cut side down, 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until crisp, turning carefully halfway through baking time. Cool completely on the cookie sheet on a wire rack. Trim ends if desired.

Microwave chopped chocolate and 1 tablespoon shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring twice. Brush or spread one end of each cookie stick with melted chocolate mixture; let excess drip down sides of cookie. Place cookies on parchment paper or waxed paper; let stand about 1 hour, or until set. Makes 18.