| 1 | Chocolate frosting (recipe follows; optional) |
| 2 | in medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. |
| 3 | In large bowl, mix well sugar, shortening, eggs, vanilla and starter. |
| 4 | Stir in flour mixture and nuts until well blended. |
| 5 | drop by teaspoonful 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. |
| 6 | Bake in preheated 350 deg. |
| 7 | Oven 8 to 10 minutes or until bottoms of cookies and edges are lightly browned. |
| 8 | remove to racks. |
| 9 | Frost or garnish. |
| 10 | (if desired, omit frosting and garnish each cookie with walnut half before baking). |
| 11 | chocolate frosting: |
| 12 | in small bowl, mix well: ?c. confectioner"s sugar, about 2 tbs. |
| 13 | Milk, (or more if needed for spreading consistency) and ?square (?oz). |
| 14 | Unsweetened chocolate, melted. |
