@staticmethod
def __initialize_variables(vars_dict: dict) ->dict:
    """
        Ensure the proper default values are configured for each type of variable that may be present in the skillet

        :param vars_dict: Skillet 'variables' stanza
        :return: variables stanza with default values correctly parsed
        """
    for variable in vars_dict:
        default = variable.get('default', '')
        type_hint = variable.get('type_hint', 'text')
        if type_hint == 'dropdown' and 'dd_list' in variable:
            for item in variable.get('dd_list', []):
                if 'key' in item and 'value' in item:
                    if default == item['key'] and default != item['value']:
                        variable['default'] = item['value']
        elif type_hint == 'radio' and 'rad_list' in variable:
            rad_list = variable['rad_list']
            for item in rad_list:
                if 'key' in item and 'value' in item:
                    if default == item['key'] and default != item['value']:
                        variable['default'] = item['value']
        elif type_hint == 'checkbox' and 'cbx_list' in variable:
            cbx_list = variable['cbx_list']
            for item in cbx_list:
                if 'key' in item and 'value' in item:
                    if default == item['key'] and default != item['value']:
                        variable['default'] = item['value']
    return vars_dict
