Christmas

Recipe#3560

Title: Chocolate Chip Cookie Wreath

Recipe By     : Woman's Day, Holiday Baking 1994

Chocolate Chip Cookie Wreath

     3/4  cup           vegetable shortening

--butter flavored

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup pecans -- coarsely chopped

Icing:

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons vegetable shortening

2 teaspoons milk

1 teaspoon light corn syrup

red and green chewy candies

--or gum drops

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; line 4 cookie sheets with

foil and lightly grease the foil. In a large bowl with an

electric mixer on medium speed, beat the brown sugar,

shortening, milk and vanilla extract until well blended.

Beat in the egg. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt

and baking soda. With a spoon, stir into the shortening

mixture just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and

pecans. Divide the dough into quarters; divide each quarter

into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1-inch ball.

Arrange the balls on the cookie sheets almost touching to

form an 8-inch circle. Flatten the balls slightly with your

fingers. Repeat with the remaining balls to make 3 more

wreaths. Bake one cookie sheet at a time for 12 to 14

minutes, or until the wreaths are lightly browned. Do not

overbake. Cool completely before removing from the cookie

sheet.

Meanwhile, prepare the icing. In a small bowl with the

mixer on medium speed, beat the powdered sugar, shortening,

milk and corn syrup until smooth. If too thick, thin with a

little milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar. The

icing may be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes 1 1/2 cups. Spread or pipe the icing over the cooled

wreaths. Cut the red and green candies as needed for

flowers and leaves. Place in clusters around the wreath.

Makes 4 wreaths.

Web Source: http://www.kitchenrecipes.com