Chocolate Surprises

1 3/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup pecans -- (optional)
24 marshmallows -- halved
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 Tablespoons cocoa
2 cups powdered sugar -- sifted
pinch salt
3 Tablespoons butter -- melted
4 Tablespoons cream

whole pecans -- (optional)

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa. Set aside. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar; add egg. Blend in flour. Stir in nuts and vanilla.

Drop by teaspoons on baking sheet and bake 8 minutes at 350. Remove and top each cookie with 1/2 marshmallow, cut to make two flat halves so the cookies look like top hats. Put back in oven for 2 minutes. When cool, frost with topping made by combining cocoa, powdered sugar, salt, butter and cream. Top each cooky with a whole pecan.