Chocolate-Nut Yule Log Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips, finely chopped
For Dipping
2 tablespoons shortening (or butter)
1 cup chocolate chips
3 cups finely chopped nuts (optional)
various candy sprinkles (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until light & fluffy.
Add salt & mix well, then cup-by-cup add the flour.
Last, add the chopped chips and mix well.
Shape dough into little \"logs\" (about 1 1/2\" long).
Arrange \"logs\" on UNgreased cookie sheets fairly close together (don't spread much) -- about 14 to a 10x15 sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes (golden brown); transfer to a cooling rack.
Melt the shortening & chocolate chips, stirring to mix smoothly.
Dip one end of each cookie into the chocolate, scraping off the bottom against the edge of the bowl; dip cookie into chopped nuts, then return it to the cooling rack (place waxed paper underneath to catch the chocolate drips).
OR sprinkle with seasonal or holiday sprinkles and skip the nuts altogether.
Let cookies sit on racks until firm.
Store in covered tins with waxed paper between the layers.