Introduction: Cocoa Snowflakes

By my etsy shop
About: Like to solve everyday life little problems. I'm curious about things I don't know much. Like to do things that require and allow creativity.

This recipe from Penzeys, of which I'm a regular customer, makes delicious, bite-sized chewy brownie cookies with a pretty, lacy snowflakes top, perfect for snow season and the Holidays.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

5 TB. butter

6 TB. NATURAL COCOA POWDER

1 Cup sugar

1 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

2 large eggs

1 Cup finely chopped nuts (optional) (I cheated, I didn't chop, I used Coffee Grinder to grind the nuts)

1/2 Cup powdered sugar (for rolling cookies in)

Makes 48

Directions adapted from Penzeys and somewhat simplified by me are in following steps:

Step 1: Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

In a mixing bowl that can be warmed, melt the butter over low heat or water bath.

Add COCOA POWDER, blend well with a fork or a small whisk until smooth.

Stir in sugar until combined (it will be dark brown at this point).

Add PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, mix well.

Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition.

Add flour mixture, mix well with a hand mixer.

Grind and add nuts if desired, mix well.

Divide the dough into 4 equal parts.

Wrap the dough with individual plastic wrap, refrigerate until chilled (at least 2 hours, better overnight). The dough never gets really stiff, but it won't roll into nice balls if it's warm.

Step 3: Roll the Balls

Preheat oven to 400F.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (Don't use cooking spray/grease or the bottom of the cookie can get burnt).

Take only 1 part of the dough out of refrigerator to work with.

Pinch off a hunk of dough enough to make a 3/4" ball, then roll it into a ball, it's really easy, takes only a second. Then roll the ball in powdered sugar, be generous with the powdered sugar for a good snowflakes effect. I used a spoon to roll the balls in the sugar. Roll each part of the dough into 12 balls.

Place the sugar coated balls onto the lined cookie sheet, 2" apart.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Bake cookies for 8 minutes at 400°, be ready to be delighted by the beauty of the snowflakes effect.

Let cool a minute, then remove from pan. Store in an airtight container to maintain the soft and chewy texture.

Enjoy! As a matter of fact, I just walked to my cookie jar and ate two of it.

Please vote for the Snow Contest once it was accepted.