Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the shortening, sugar, and brown sugar together in a mixer bowl with a paddle attachment.
Add apple sauce and vanilla to cream mixture and beat until well combined.
Slowly add flour mixture to cream mixture and mix at medium speed until flour mixture has been thoroughly incorporated.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Place scoops of cookie dough on baking sheet. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.
Remove cookies from oven and let them cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Remove them from baking sheet and allow them to finish cooling on a wire rack.