Chocolate Truffle Cookies*

4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. In the microwave or in double boiler, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of the chocolate chips, and the butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and the chocolate mixture until well mixed. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. Cover dough and chill for at least an hour or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll chilled dough into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets so they are 2 inches apart.

3. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Calories 112
Total fat 6.8 g
Cholesterol 23 mg

Snickerdoodles*

Makes 2 dozen cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp Cream of tartar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cream the butter, shortening and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl mix all the dry ingredients and then add it to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Roll into balls and roll in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.

Soft Christmas Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 
  

Directions

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Use with frosting recipe.