Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Cookies (using butter, cocoa and nuts)

CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

1 1/4 cups butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped nuts, optional

Cream the butter or margarine and sugar in a large mixer bowl. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Blend well; set aside.

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the nuts, if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 9 minutes. Do Not Overbake. Cookies will be soft. They will puff during the baking, then flatten upon cooling. Cool on the cookie sheets until set, about 1 minute. Then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies