VGP #3 Brownie Waffle Cookies

These clever treats are for my friend Christy, whose oven is broken and who has been using alternative cooking methods lately, like the grill and crockpot. She even tried grilling cookies, but they didn't turn out so well. So let's try the waffle iron, shall we? These are simple, chocolatey, and pretty darn fun to make. Plus they look cool. Unfortunately Christy is allergic to pecans but any nut will work, or you could try them without.

1/3 cup shortening
1 (1 oz.) square unsweetened chocolate
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sugar
2 T milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans, divided

1. Preheat waffle iron. Combine shortening and chocolate in a heavy saucepan. Place over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted; cool. Combine egg, sugar, milk and vanilla in a bowl. Stir in chocolate mixture.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to chocolate mixture. Add 2/3 cup pecans, stirring well.

3. Lightly spray waffle iron. Drop batter by level tablespoonfuls onto iron, at least 2 inches apart. (I have a Belgian waffle iron with 4 squares so I just did one in the middle of each.) Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Close iron and bake about 3 minutes or until done. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.
Recipe from Chocolate Fantasies by Oxmoor House