1 c. shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. M&M'S® plain chocolate pieces

Blend shortening and sugars. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Sift remaining dry ingredients together; add to the sugar and egg mixture. Mix well. Stir in 1/2 cup M&M'S® candies, reserve remaining candies for decorating. Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate tops of cookies with remaining M&M'S® candies.

Bake at 325 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. After baking, some of the candies may be slightly cracked. This adds texture and interest to your cookies. Makes about 6 dozen (2 1/2 inch) cookies. I put the brown candies in the dough and save the colorful ones for the tops of the cookies.