Mocha Frosted Drops

My most favorite cookie in the world. From BH&G. Prep/cooking time does not include time for cookies to cool before frosting.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 2  ounces  unsweetened chocolate squares
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• 1 (6 ounce) package  semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

• Frosting

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 2  tablespoons  cocoa
• 2  teaspoons instant coffee
• 1  dash salt
• 2 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
•  milk
•  walnut halves (optional)

Directions

1. Melt shortening and chocolate over low heat, stirring. Cool 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla and buttermilk.
2. Mix flour, baking powder and soda, and salt. Add to chocolate mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
3. Drop from teaspoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes. Remove from sheet and cool.
4. Frost with Mocha Frosting. Top with a walnut half if desired.
5. Mocha Frosting: Cream butter, cocoa, instant coffee and dash salt. Beat in confectioner's sugar, vanilla and enough milk so that it's spreadable.