My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why I Love This Recipe
This is my perfected (to date) chocolate chip cookie recipe. After years of baking other people's recipes, I think I've got a sinfully rich one with the right balance of chewy and crispy. My family and co-workers rave about them!
Ingredients You'll Need
2 sticks room temp. GOOD butter
½ cup shortening or lard
3 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
½ cup GOOD hot fudge sauce
4¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
20-24 ounces GOOD chocolate chunks or chips (dark, milk, etc.)
3 cups toasted nuts (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and shortening in an electric mixer.
Add the brown sugar one cup at a time, then the eggs one at a time.
Add the vanilla and the hot fudge sauce.
In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix well and SLOWLY add to the butter/sugar/egg mixture.
Finally, add the chocolate of your choice and (optional) toasted nuts.
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until they are JUST TURNING golden brown.
If you desire, you can chill the dough and use as needed (keeps in the fridge for 4 days freeze if you plan on keeping it longer).