Rhubarb Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Are you almost out of rhubarb? I'm not. I transplanted mine to make more room for the raspberry plants (that I AM going to harvest before the birds do, darn it), and the rhubarb is once again thriving. I'd better use up the bucket of rhubarb in my freezer so I can pick and freeze a fresh batch!

In an effort to use up some of the rhubarb and to provide a decent snack food for the ever-hungry teenager, I made these.

Frosted Rhubarb Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups diced fresh rhubarb
• 3/4 cup flaked coconut (optional)
• CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.

2. Stir in rhubarb and coconut. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies. Store in the refrigerator.

Possible add-ins: coconut (see above), 1 teaspoon orange zest, a few chopped tart cherries

Mother Nature Network led me to this recipe on AllRecipes. com.

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