|
 This
week's Dessert of the Week features a delicious and minty Chocolate Cookie. This
recipe uses mint extract for the flavor and bittersweet chocolate. These cookies are
easy to bake and would make a wonderful valentine's gift.What you need:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg,
at room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate,
coarsely chopped
What you do:
 Sift
the flour, cocoa and salt together into a small bowl.- In a large bowl, beat the butter using medium speed,
for 30 seconds, or until creamy. Add the sugar and continue beating for 3 to 4 minutes,
until the mixture is light in texture and color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a
rubber spatula. Beat in the egg, then beat in the mint extract.
- At low speed, beat in the flour mixture in two additions,
scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
- Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll
each piece of dough into a cylinder approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each
cylinder of dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for 3 hours, or until firm enough to
slice. (Or place in the freezer for about 20 minutes.)
- Position one rack in the top third and another in the bottom
third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. For neater slices, transfer the
refrigerated rolls of dough to the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the rolls of dough into
l/4-inch-thick slices, placing the slices about 1 inch part on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until set on top. Switch the positions of the
baking sheets halfway through the baking time for even baking.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheets on wire racks for 1 to
2 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Melt the chocolate. Dip a fork into the melted
chocolate and shake and flick it over the cookies to make a decorative zigzag pattern,
dipping it back into the chocolate as necessary. Refrigerate the cookies for 15 minutes,
or until the chocolate is set. The cookies can be stored, between layers of waxed paper,
in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Valentine Hug Box & Cookies
Yes, it is a craft, yes it is a recipe,
but the best part of it is the personal touch. The giving of yourself. This Valentine
Package should be made for anyone you care about- this could be grandparents, a sick
friend or anyone who could use a hug. Look around your neighborhood. Look into your own
family. If a class is going to create this craft think about a small group that you would
like to donate these treasures to. All will be brightened by your efforts; your artistry;
your art.
|
 
The Chocolate
Bible
 more Chocolate
Books
more Dessert
Books
FREE Chocolate Recipes
FREE Candymaking Ideas
interview with the Cake Mix Doctor, Anne
Byrn
more cake
books
more baking
books
|
