Apple Walnut Cookies

I posted this a while back but since then have added two ingredients and entered the recipe in the Old Apple Festival Baking Contest here in Vancouver. The cookies and I won second place. The old apple tree, the inspiration for the festival is pictured above. It dates back to ca 1826 and is the oldest known apple tree in the Pacific Northwest Territories.

Apple Walnut Cookies

½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large apple, finely grated
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
½ cup mini-chocolate chips

Cookie Coating:
3 tsp. sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon

In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar together.
Add vanilla and finely grated apple. Mix well.

Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in flour sifter.
Sift into the cookie mixture and blend well.

Add the finely chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. Chill for at least 1 hour.

Roll into balls the size of a walnut and then roll in the cookie coating mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until light brown.