Soft, frosted chocolate cookies

These cookies are soft and cake-like and VERY good!!  This recipe makes approx. 36-40.

Preheat the oven to 350º

NOTE:  I never use an electric mixer when I make cookies unless the recipe specifically calls for extreme beating or whipping of egg whites.  I use a heavy wooden spoon and elbow grease.

Line several baking sheets with parchment (or lightly grease them).  I use parchment for quick and easy clean up!

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix together well:

1/2 C  soft butter

1 C brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C buttermilk

chocolate: (mix 6 TBLSP cocoa w/3 T veg. oil to make a paste)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1-2/3 C flour

Drop rounded TBLSP onto parchment (or prepared sheets), leaving at least an inch between each.  (My standard sized sheets held 12 cookies.)

Bake for 11-12 minutes.  Remove from oven & cool completely before frosting.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:  Mix all ingredients together & apply to cookies generously.

4 TBLSP melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

5 TBLSP cocoa powder

2 C powdered sugar

SLOWLY add heavy cream by the tsp., mixing WELL until it's thick enough to spread on cookies (be careful not to add TOO much cream - you don't want this to be too thin!!).