Back when I was at UCSF we had a cookie bake-off with Babs and Hill’s cookies during the 1992 election… Hillary won. Big Time.

Hillary’s Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Brush baking sheets lightly with vegetable oil.

Combine flour, salt and baking soda on waxed paper.

Beat together shortening, sugars and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy.

Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in rolled oats and then chocolate chips.

Drop batter by rounded teaspoonsfuls onto baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or till golden. Cool cookies on sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Barbara’s Recipe

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons very hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt onto waxed paper. Beat butter, brown sugar, white sugar and egg in large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in hot water and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture until blended and smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by well-rounded measuring teaspoonfuls onto large greased baking sheet. Bake in 375 oven 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on sheet on wire rack 1 minute, then put cookies directly on rack to cool.