'STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING' ~ CHOCOLATE SNOWFLAKES

"Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

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CHOCOLATE SNOWFLAKES

2 sticks softened butter

1 12 cups powdered sugar

3 tsp. vanilla

2 egg yolks

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 cup finely ground almonds

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups flour

8 oz. milk chocolate

~ additional powdered sugar

• Preheat oven to 325-degrees.
• In mixing bowl, combine butter & sugar; beat until creamy. Add vanilla & eggs; beat well. Add cream of tartar, almonds, and baking soda; beat well. Slowly add flour. Keep beating until well mixed. Roll dough int 1-inch balls. Tap slightly with bottom of glass to flatten. Bake for 11-13 minutes - cookies will stay light colored. Let cool on baking racks.
• When cool, melt chocolate in microwave or in double boiler and use to frost cookie. When chocolate cools, cut out a paper snowflake or use a lacy doily and place over cookie. Sprinkle additional powdered sugar through to create snowflakes. (2 1/2 dozen)