These are absolutely yum. I used butter-flavored shortening (all I had on-hand) and I added Nestle's mint-and-chocolate swirled chips to them which made them pretty and Christmasy. I did not add nuts because they're going to be gifts and you never know, with nuts. Wanted to say that the photo on this recipe does not reflect the true brownie-ish color these cookies have. The photo makes them look sort of golden but they're truly brown like brownies. I agree with everyone saying "don't monkey with the temp or time in the oven." They'll come out of the oven puffy like gingerbread cookies but let them rest and they flatten out and have a lovely final appearance.

Reviewed On: Dec. 15, 2006