Chocolate Shortbread Logs

2 cups sifted flour

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 package (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate pieces

1 tablespoon shortening

½ cup walnuts, finely chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In large bowl, mix flour, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended. With your hands, pull off 1 rounded teaspoon and roll in hands into a 2-inch long log. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat for remaining dough, placing logs ½ inch apart. Bake 11-13 minutes, until firm but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet and cool thoroughly.

Melt chocolate and shortening over hot water bath or in the microwave. Remove from heat. Dip ends of each cookie into chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Sprinkle with walnuts. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

Makes about 72 cookies.

Nutrition values per serving: 60 calories, 4 g fat ( 2.5 g saturated), 5 g carbohydrates, 0 fiber, 1 g protein, 5 mg cholesterol, 0 sodium.