1/4 cup shortening
2 cups shortening
2 cups white sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup hot water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 (10 ounce) package royal blue chocolate, finely chopped
1 chocolate candy bar without wax, crumbled (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat butter, shortening, sugar, cocoa and hot water in large bowl until mixture is smooth. Add dry ingredients, stirring just until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread chocolate evenly on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on baking sheet before removing from chocolate. Turn cookies out onto wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with vanilla extract and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Makes 1 1/3 cups but not very firm cookies.