Chocolate Squares or Cookies- Baker's Favorite Chocolate Recipes

Baker's Favorite Chocolate Recipes is an interesting 1955 cookbook. It is unusual in that it opens from the top instead of the left side. It has over 200 recipes using unsweetened chocolate, German sweet chocolate, cocoa and what it refers to as "the lively newcomer semi-sweet chocolate chips. I am going to quote what it says about chocolates food value, they do a great job of making it sound like a health food. "Chocolate is a real food in itself- not just a food accessory. It is highly concentrated, small in bulk, but has remarkably high food value. Because of this, armies from the days of the Revolution through to our present-day armed forces have carried chocolate in their rations. Chocolate is a nourishing food, containing fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and sometimes added vitamins. In addition, it is high in energy value. For this reason, many people find that some form of chocolate taken between meals helps give the "lift" they need to carry on the day's activities." It goes on to later say "chocolate has an important place in menu planning too." I am convinced I'll pack some in my lunch tomorrow.

This is a versatile recipe:

Chocolate Squares or Cookies

1 1/2 cup sifted flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 squares Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate

4 tablespoon butter or other shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg, unbeaten

3/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped walnut meats, optional or

2/3 cup chopped dates or chopped raisins and 2/3 cup chopped nut meats

Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift together three times. Melt chocolate and shortening over hot water; cool to lukewarm. Add sugar and mix well. Add egg, and beat thoroughly. Add flour, alternately with milk, stirring only to blend. Add vanilla. Mix in any optional ingredients.

For squares, spread in two greased 9x9x2-inch pans and bake in moderate 375 degree 12 minutes, or until done. Let cool in pan, when almost cool, cut in squares. Remove from pan. Makes 50 squares.

For cookies, drop from teaspoon on ungreased baking sheet, Bake in moderate 375 degree oven 9 minutes or until done. Cool slightly; remove from pan. Makes 3 dozen cookies.