12 Days of Baking – Countdown to Christmas 2014

As we bake our way to the holidays, and who didn’t drool over all those recipes in the From Our Hands to Your Hands 2014 Gift Guide, I decided to bounce back to chocolate again. As soon as I spied these cookies, I already knew that they would be yummy. I really like chocolate cookies, and they are not a common cookie any time of the year, so I thought I would share them. They are a lot like a brownie, but not so crumbly. 

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

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Wonderfully White Hand Knit Cotton Skull Dishcloth or Washcloth

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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

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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

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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

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