1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla until well blended. Stir together flour, cocoa and salt; add to butter mix, mixing until well blended.

Refrigerate dough for 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to handle.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheets. Press thumb gently in center of each cookies.

Note: You may need to coat finger with sugar for indentation to remain.

Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Allow to cool slightly.

ORANGE AND GREEN FILLING:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. butter, softened
4 tsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
green, red and yellow food coloring

In a small bowl combine confectioners' sugar, softened butter, milk and vanilla. Beat on high until smooth.

Remove scant 2 tablespoons of filling. Tint this with green food color; set aside.

Add freshly grated orange peel to remaining icing and use red and yellow food coloring to make orange.

GHOST COOKIE VARIATION:

Make icing and omit food coloring and orange peel. Decorate cookies to look like ghosts.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Submitted by: Jess James