Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar and vanilla. Blend thoroughly.

Using a rounded teaspoon of dough for each cookie, shape with hands into 2-inch logs. (To make shaping easier, you can coat each piece of dough very lightly with powdered sugar.) Place 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 13 minutes. They should be barely golden brown on the bottom.

Carefully remove cookies to a wire rack. Hot cookies are very fragile. Let cool thoroughly. Heat chocolate chips and shortening together in the microwave on a low power level until just melted. Stir to combine.

Dip ends of each cooled cookie into chocolate. Place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.

Sprinkle walnuts over ends. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

Yield: 6 dozen.

Testers note: Elegant, rich and delicious. Freeze these by the dozens for unexpected guests. Barbara Love, Sperreng Middle School.

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