Cookies and Candyland

Tomorrow is our annual Christmas cookie exchange at work so today 8 dozen cookies had to be made. First things first, though, the boys and I decided to play a rousing game of Candyland. It was a close game, neck-and-neck for quite awhile, until Cammy turned up the Queen Frostine card. Drat. Nolie and I pretty much knew we were done. (Actually, Nolie had no clue; he's just happy that he's figured out how to play the game. "Two gween. One, two, thwee, four." Somehow he ends up at the right place anyway.)

For the cookie bake, I decided to make yummy chocolate mint truffle cookies. Seems to me I make them most years but they are sooo good.


Chocolate Mint Truffle Cookies

4 oz unsweetened chocolate
3 oz semisweet chocolate
3/4 c butter
1-1/2 c granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp mint extract
1-1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c mini chocolate chips (the first time I made this I couldn't read my handwriting and used mint chips instead - I've used mint every time since)
1/3 c crushed candy cane

• In heavy saucepan over medium-low heat or in microwave on low, melt unsweetened and semisweet chocolate and butter. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk in mint extract.
• In a bowl, whisk flour with baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Transfer to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours. (Make ahead: refrigerate for up to 24 hours)
• Roll dough by heaping teaspoonfulls into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart, on parchment paper-lined or greased rimless baking sheets. Bake in top and bottom thirds of oven at 350F until slightly firm to the touch, about 8 minutes, rotating and switching pans halfway through.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle each cookie with scant 1/4 tsp chopped candy. Let cool on pan on rack for 5 minutes. Transfer to rack; let cool completely. Store in layers separated by wax paper for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. (Canadian Living, Holiday Best, 2001)

Mmmm, they look good enough for, well, Santa.

~Liz