Hazelnut Mocha Balls - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
60 hazelnuts, whole (filberts)
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 1/2 tablespoons shortening
hazelnuts, chopped (optional)

Preparation

Dissolve coffee in vanilla.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add the coffee mixture, flour and cocoa.
Shape 1 teaspoon of dough into balls.
Press a hazelnut into center of each ball.
Bake 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
Cool 1 minute, then move to wire rack to cool completely.
Microwave chocolate and shortening until melted, about 1 minute. Stir smooth.
Drizzle over cookies, or roll cookies in chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts.