Coffee Chip Drops

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup shortening -- butter flavored

2 tablespoons brewed coffee -- cold

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon French roast coffee beans

--finely ground --or espresso coffee beans 1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup walnuts -- coarsely chopped

36 chocolate kisses -- unwrapped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. Place the brown sugar, shortening, coffee and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer until blended. Add the egg; beat well. Combine the flour, ground coffee, salt and baking soda. Add to the shortening mixture; beat on low speed just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop the dough by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake one baking sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned and just set. Do no overbake. Place 1 candy in the center of each cookie. Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet. Remove the cookies to the foil to cool completely. Penny Halsey (ATBN65B).