Shelly's Recipe

Chocolate Chip Holiday Tea Cakes

Category: Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup finely chopped nuts
1 package (12-oz.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F.

BEAT butter and powdered sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour and nuts. Stir in 1 1/2 cups morsels. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set and light golden brown on bottom. Cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

MICROWAVE remaining morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on HIGH (100%) power for 30 to 45 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over cookies. Refrigerate cookies for about 5 minutes or until chocolate is set. Store at room temperature in airtight containers.

Tips For a spicier cookie, add 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon to flour before adding to butter-sugar mixture.