Cottage Cheese Cookies

2 cups shortening

3 ½ cups white sugar

4 eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

5 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups cottage cheese

1 cup chopped pecans

½ cup confectioners sugar

In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and white sugar, until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cocoa; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the cottage cheese and pecans. Cover dough and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll the dough into walnut sized balls then roll the balls in the confectioners sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.