Sour Cream Cookies

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sour cream

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup chopped nuts (opt.)

Cream together shortening & brown sugar.  Add eggs, soda, salt, baking powder, vanilla & sour cream; mix well.  Add flour & nuts & mix well.  Drop by teaspoon full on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden.  Frost with maple frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 Tblsp. milk

1 tsp. maple extract

Mix all ingredients together.  I always use my electric hand mixer whenever I make frostings & it makes the job a LOT easier.  :)  This recipe is a favorite of my Grandma's.  She makes these cookies for almost every family get-together.  When she makes them, she places just one little walnut on top of each cookie as a little garnish.  I always think of her whenever I make these.  You have to have the frosting for these cookies though, otherwise the taste will be much too bland.  Enjoy!  :)