Chocolate shortbread logs

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
  
       Title: Chocolate Shortbread Logs
  Categories: Cookies
       Yield: 72 servings
  
       2 c  All-purpose flour
       1 c  Butter; (2 sticks) softened
     1/2 c  Sifted powdered sugar
       1 ts Vanilla
       1 pk Semisweet chocolate chips
            ; (6-oz)
       1 tb Shortening
     1/2 c  Walnuts; finely chopped
  
   Recipe by: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 12/2/96 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
   In a large bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar and vanilla. Blend
   thoroughly.
   
   Using a rounded teaspoon of dough for each cookie, shape with hands into
   2-inch logs. (To make shaping easier, you can coat each piece of dough very
   lightly with powdered sugar.) Place 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased cookie
   sheet.
   
   Bake for 10 to 13 minutes. They should be barely golden brown on the
   bottom.
   
   Carefully remove cookies to a wire rack. Hot cookies are very fragile. Let
   cool thoroughly. Heat chocolate chips and shortening together in the
   microwave on a low power level until just melted. Stir to combine.
   
   Dip ends of each cooled cookie into chocolate. Place on a cookie sheet
   lined with waxed paper.
   
   Sprinkle walnuts over ends. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
   
   Yield: 6 dozen.
   
   Tester's note: Elegant, rich and delicious. Freeze these by the dozens for
   unexpected guests. Barbara Love, Sperreng Middle School.
  
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