VALENTINE CHOCOLATE JUMBLES

Valentine Chocolate Jumbles image

Provided by Linda Blakely

Categories Cookies

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 17

FOR COOKIES:
1 egg
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c lard
1/2 c molasses
2-1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
FOR ICING AND DECORATING:
6 oz confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp powdered egg whites
1 Tbsp water
red food coloring or valentine-themed cookie sprinkles

Steps:

1. In large bowl combine cookie ingredients with mixer until well blended. Chill several hours or overnight.
2. Roll out dough about 1/4" thick between sheets of waxed paper. Cut into heart shapes with 2-1/2" heart-shaped cutter, then cut out centers with 1" heart-shaped cutter. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Reroll scraps and repeat until all dough is used up. Chill again briefly before baking. Bake in center of oven preheated to 350 8-10 minutes, or until edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
3. Combine icing ingredients except food coloring. Add more confectioners' sugar or water to achieve spreading consistency. Ice cooled cookies. EITHER let icing harden a few hours and paint designs of your choice with red food coloring and very fine brush. OR sprinkle wet icing with valentine-themed colored sprinkles, let dry completely.