Chocolate Spiderweb Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg white
• cooking spray
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons 2% low-fat milk

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350º.

2. 2

   Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a whisk.

3. 3

   Place shortening in a large mixing bowl; beat with a heavy-duty mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.

4. 4

   Gradually add the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until well blended. Add vanilla and egg white; beat well.

5. 5

   Add flour mixture; beat until well blended.

6. 6

   Turn dough out onto wax paper; shape into a 6-inch log. Wrap log in wax paper. Freeze 2 hours or until very firm.

7. 7

   Cut log into 24 (1/4-inch) slices, and place slices 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.

8. 8

   Bake at 350º for 10 minutes or until set. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

9. 9

   Combine powdered sugar and milk in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk until smooth.

10. 10

    Spoon into a small zip-top plastic bag; seal. Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of bag. Working with 1 cookie at a time, pipe 3 concentric circles onto each cookie.

11. 11

    Starting at center circle, pull a wooden pick through other circles at regular intervals to create a "web.".