Squirrel Chocolate Cookies

Squirrel and Nut Christmas Cookie Platters 

Looking back at the cookies we made over the holidays, Tom's chocolate squirrels were surprisingly good and worth making again. (I'll let Tom explain sometime why squirrels were appropriate.)  The recipe was on the card that came with the cookie cutter which I found at Wegman's.  You can see the full range of cookie cutters here at

www.annclarkcookiecutters.com

I enjoyed visiting their site.  They have over 2100 designs and you can order them online, too.   They have an extensive list of recipes which will come in handy in the future. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Ann Clark started the cookie cutter company using her pig design.  The family run company is based in Vermont, and has become a big success!  They are the biggest cookie cutter manufacturer in the USA.

I wonder what Ben Clark, Ann's son, who runs the company, thinks of the proposed tariffs on steel.

Squirrel Chocolate Cookies
(from Ann Clark Cookie Cutters)

Makes about 12-14 squirrels

Cream together:
1 1/4 cup soft butter
1 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

Beat in:
1 egg

Add:
3 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 t. salt

Mix well.  Chill dough for three hours.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll out 1/4" thick and cut into shapes.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack.  Frost and decorate or eat just plain.  Enjoy!  Ann

Frosting:
3/4 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
1 T. butter
1 T. milk
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. lemon juice

Melt butter, combine all ingredients, and beat until smooth.  Add food coloring if desired.  Yield:  1/3 cup.

B