Chocolate Cookie Mice

Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine – softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – or unbleached
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 72 miniature chocolate chips
• 36 red or black licorice strips – cut into 2-inch pieces

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, margarine and shortening until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and egg; blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in the flour, cocoa and baking powder; mix well. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. To form a mouse, pinch one end of the ball to form the nose. For the ears, make 2 tiny balls of dough and flatten slightly; gently press into the dough on the upper front of each mouse body. For the eyes, press 2 miniature chocolate chips into the dough below the ears. Place the shaped cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set. For the tails, immediately place a piece of licorice into the rounded end of each cookie. Remove from the cookie sheets.

Variation:
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies: Prepare the dough as directed above. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in sugar. Bake for 8 to 13 minutes, or until set. Cool for 1 minute; remove from the cookie sheets.