Chocolate Shortbread Hearts

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter

Chocolate Frosting

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 teaspoon shortening

Instructions

Dough

1. Combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa, instant coffee and cinnamon in a bowl and mix to combine.
2. With a pastry blender cut butter into dry mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Knead dough with hands until it forms a smooth ball. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut dough. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart. Re-roll dough as necessary.
3. Bake in preheated 325 degrees F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are set.

Chocolate Frosting

1. Combine chocolate and shortening in saucepan and stir over low heat until melted.
2. Dip each cookie into chocolate and place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet. Let stand until chocolate sets.