Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Melt shortening and chocolate; cool. Stir in brown sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla; mix until smooth. Stir dry ingredients into saucepan mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonful 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

My variation: Use 4 Tbsp cocoa instead of chocolate; sift into dry ingredients. Use 2 tsp vanilla instead of 1. Use 6 oz white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips Use macadamias instead of walnuts. Sift dry ingredients together. Cream shortening and brown sugar together. Add egg and mix until blended. Add buttermilk and mix well, then stir in vanilla, chips, and nuts. Bake as above.

These are very moist - let them cool completely before storing, and don't store them completely airtight unless they're going to be going quickly.

Makes 5-6 dozen.

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