Shaped 
Christmas Cookies

• 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 2/3 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• Sifted powdered sugar

Melt chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool.

Cream shortening; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Add eggs; beat well. Stir in chocolate and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowel; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, Stir in pecans. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

Coat hands with powdered sugar. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, and roll in powdered sugar to coat well. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets; chill 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 5 dozen.

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