1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour, cocoa, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; mix well (optional walnuts).

Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll balls in sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-9 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheets. If adding chocolate chips and nuts, simply drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Too hard to roll.