Chocolate Cookie Mice

Chocolate Cookie Mice

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour -- or unbleached
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 72 miniature chocolate chips
• 36 red or black licorice strips
• --cut into 2-inch pieces

Methods/steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• In a large bowl, beat the sugar, margarine and shortening until light and fluffy
• Add the vanilla extract and egg; blend well
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off
• Stir in the flour, cocoa and baking powder; mix well
• Shape the dough into
• 1-inch balls
• To form a mouse, pinch one end of the ball to form the nose
• For the ears, make 2 tiny balls of dough and flatten slightly; gently press into the dough on the upper front of each mouse body
• For the eyes, press 2 miniature chocolate chips into the dough below the ears
• Place the shaped cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets
• Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set
• For the tails, immediately place a piece of licorice into the rounded end
• of each cookie
• Remove from the cookie sheets
• Variation
• Chocolaty Shortbread Cookies:
  
• Prepare the dough as directed above
• Shape the dough into 1-inch balls
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets
• Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in sugar
• Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set
• Cool for 1 minute; remove from the cookie sheets

Bon Appétit!