Chocolaty Melting Snowmen1/2 C shortening 1/2 C peanut butter 1/2 C granulated sugar 1/2 C packed brown sugar 1 t baking powder 1/4 t salt 1/8 t baking soda 1 egg 3 T milk 1/2 t vanilla 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder 1-1/2 C all-purpose flour 16 oz. vanilla-flavor candy coating 10 chocolate-covered peanut butter miniature cups, unwrapped and cut in half Orange nonpareils Mini chocolate chips |
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer on high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
2. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined.
3. Beat in cocoa powder. Beat in flour.
4. Divide dough into 20 portions; shape into balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 9-11 minutes or just until edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Cool.
6. In a medium microwave-safe bowl microwave candy coating following package directions.
7. For snowmen, place cookies on a cookies sheet lined with waxes paper. Spoon candy coating onto cookies to resemble melting snow. While coating is still tacky, add peanut butter cups for top hats and small candies for eyes and nose. Let stand until coating is set.
* I expected these cookies to be flatter than mine turned out. Since normally a peanut butter cookie is pressed down before baking, I wonder if the same shouldn't be done here? Still, they are cute and easy-to-make. Kids will enjoy them.
Snowmen are a popular theme for Christmas and holiday decorations. Snowmen were first documented in medieval times, with an illustration from 1380 found in a book named "Book of Hours." Frosty the Snowman may be the most popular snowman who children know was brought to life one day by an old silk hat. Snowmen typically wear a hat, scarf, have stick arms, a carrot nose, and coal eyes and mouth. Sometimes he even has has buttons for a coat running down his torso, and a pipe.