This recipe makes 36 - 48 cookies. I should not be around 48 cookies … ever …
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted
Royal Icing , recipe follows
Your favorite sprinkles and nonpareils, for decorating
Royal Icing:
Two 1-pound boxes confectioners' sugar (about 7 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons meringue powder
Food coloring , such as gel coloring, if desired
Directions
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside.
Put the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer) and beat on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl and paddle as needed, about 4 minutes more. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and beat until smooth.
Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and add the flour mixture in two batches, scraping down the sides of the bowl and paddle as needed. Mix until incorporated.
Divide the dough in half and shape into two flattened disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. Remove the dough from the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before rolling, to soften.
Position oven racks to the upper and lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Now flour parchment for rolling: Dust a piece of parchment with flour, place a disk of dough on it, dust the disk with flour, then cover it with a second piece of parchment. Roll out the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes with 11/2- to 2-inch cookie cutters. Gather up the scraps, re-roll and cut out. (Chill the scraps if the dough becomes too soft.) Roll and cut out the remaining disk of dough. Working in batches, arrange the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake the cookies until the tops look dry and no indentation is left when pressed with your finger, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then use a metal spatula to transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Decorate with royal icing as desired. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Royal Icing:
Combine the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 3/4 cup water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Mix on medium-low speed until pure white and stiff enough to form peaks.
Add up to 1 tablespoon food coloring if using and mix with a rubber spatula until the color is uniform. Store at room temperature, covered, with plastic wrap on the surface for up to 2 days.
Re-whip until smooth before using.
Cook's note: Gel colorings work best with royal icing because they do not thin out the icing as liquid colorings do.
Yield: 3 1/2 cups
Since I am fixated on that wonderfully rich, decadent icing, let’s look at all the fat-free, calorie-free white gift ideas from our talented artists this week.
ElunaJewelry
Moonstone Ring, Simple Sterling Silver White Moonstone Ring
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/hollyknittercreations
Wonderfully White Hand Knit Cotton Skull Dishcloth or Washcloth
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/Wyverndesigns
Spooky Friends Ghost Earrings in White Polymer Clay Earrings
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/TheTwistedRedhead
Black and White Handmade Beaded Leather Cord Keychain, Purse Charm
postcardsintheattic
Antique Postcard "Easter Greetings" Heavily Embossed Novelty Airbrushed and Gold Gilded Card Art Nouveau Lady & White Lily Flowers 1908
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/craftingmemories
Handmade Crocheted Off White Afghan
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/CardsbyLiBe
Pink, Black And White Single Flower Any Occasion Handmade Card
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/SewAmazin
Spot White Black Puppy Dog shaped padded zipper case pouch
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/KatsAllThat
Natural Howlite Gemstone Spikes and Leather Wrap Bracelet
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/bluemorningexpressions
Polar Bear Necklace Lampwork Bead Santa Hat Christmas Jewelry Handmade
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/Covergirlbeads
White And Dichroic Handmade Large Hole Lampwork Bracelet Charm Bead
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/ResetarGlassArt
Reindeer Pendant, Fused Glass Christmas Jewelry, Red and White
PrettyGonzo
Peach Freshwater Pearl Dangles, Swarovski Crystals, Sterling Silver Hooks, Sweet and Elegant Earrings, Handmade Beaded Jewelry
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/SolanaKaiDesigns
Freshwater Pearls Glass Gold Seed Beads
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy
Bridal Bracelet Soft Luscious pink Pearls Clear Swarovski Crystal
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/LittleApples
Cream Ivory Howlite Butterfly Clear Quartz Stones Beaded Bracelet
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/adorebynat
Elephant Cupcake Toppers for Baby Shower in Blue and Chevron
specialtivity
Trendy Large White Pearl, Tibetan Bead Chain Tassel Necklace, Earring
ShadowDogDesigns
Operculum Shell Spiny Oyster Turquoise Chunky Necklace Handmade Beach
ScreamingSardine
Vintage Digital Download Photo, 1910s, Pretty Woman in Beautiful Dress
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/home/TheSingingBeader
White Desert Sun Bead Short Necklace Linked Filigree Adjustable
Umeboshi
Moonlit Chrysalis Dichroic Fused Glass Iridescent Pendant OOAK
dianesdangles
White Cats Eye Nugget Pendant Necklace
KevsKrafts
Westie Christmas Tree Ornament Handmade From Poplar Wood
There are many other gift ideas in our Countdown to Christmas series, so check out these other goodies:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
More recipes and goodies:
Fruitcake cookies
Chocolate Macadamia Nut Coconut Cookies
Apple Cider Caramel Cookies
Enjoy!
Julie and Blu
