Banana Spice Cookies

½ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana (2-3)
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. soda
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. cloves
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Icing (below)

Mix shortening, sugar, eggs, and banana. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover, chill about 1 hour. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool. Frost with lemon butter icing or browned butter icing. Makes about 3 ½ dozen cookies.

Lemon Butter Icing
1/3 cup soft butter or margarine
3 cups powdered sugar
About 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. grated lemon peel

Browned Butter Icing
1/3 cup soft butter or margarine
3 cups powdered sugar
Milk
1-½ tsp. vanilla

Brown butter in saucepan over medium heat until delicate brown. Blend in sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and of spreading consistency.