Cocoa Drop Cookies (Winnie Carter)

They look so good!

Unfortunately, I was disappointed by how these cookies turned out, which surprised me because the batter was delicious. I was hoping for a rich chocolate flavor, but they were a little bland and dry. The consistency is somewhere between a cake and a brownie. They aren't terrible, but they aren't good enough that I wanted to take credit for them at holiday parties (I set them out anyway - anonymously); nor did I include them in the goodie boxes we passed out to neighbors. The frosting is the only thing that saved the cookies from the trash. That, and the fact that it took me about an hour to frost them all - I couldn't throw that time and effort away.

I can't help but wonder if a different, premium brand of cocoa powder would improve the flavor. Wal-Mart grocery only carries Hershey's, but maybe one of the gourmet or organic stores would carry something better. I'm not that curious, though, so I probably won't be giving these another try anytime soon.

Next!

_______________

Cocoa Drop Cookies
(from Winnie Carter)

½ cup soft shortening (part oleo)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 ¾ cups sifted flour
½ tsp soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup cocoa
1 cup chopped nuts

[Directions partly inferred from recipe card.]
Blend together shortening, sugar, and egg.
In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
Add dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to mixture.
Stir in nuts and vanilla.

Chill dough for 1 hour.
Drop by teaspoonsfull on greased baking sheet.
Bake in 400° oven 8-10 min.

Frosting
¼ cup oleo melted over low heat
2 cups sifted confectioner's (powdered) sugar
2 tbsp cream
1 tsp vanilla or 2 drops black walnut flavoring

[Makes approx. 100 cookies]