Showing posts with label Peppermint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peppermint. Show all posts

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Girl Scout Cookies Part 2!

Last weekend I conquered Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties. This Saturday I got in a fight with a college staple, Thin Mints. (This is for you G-Babe!) Once I again I divided up the batch into two different recipes. The first I followed was for the classic thin mints. I learned from the Peanut Butter Patties and went with dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet and tried to use less chocolate in the coating process. However covering things in chocolate is both messy and a pain (admittedly I was feeling a little lazy today) so eventually I started putting the chocolate on with a spatula much like you would frost a cupcake. The second batch is my pimping Thin Mints on steroids and now I will never go back to normal Thin Mints (That is a challenge!). These cookies have a layer of peppermint buttercream layer that is just heavenly.
Homemade Thin Mints
 
(with and without Peppermint Buttercream)
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 tsp peppermint extract or more if you want it super minty (Note: extract is different than oil!)
Directions:
1. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add in the milk and the extracts. 
3. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.

4. Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.

5. Preheat oven to 375F.
Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. 
Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.
Peppermint Buttercream Layer
 
Ingredients:
2 cup powdered sugar

4 tablespoons melted butter

2-3 drops pure peppermint oil
 (Note: oil is different than extract!)
1/2 tsp. heavy whipping cream
 
Directions:
1. Mix together until it becomes thick and easy to roll with a rolling pin. Roll until about 1/4″ thick. Cut into desired shape. Place atop cooled cookies.
Dark Chocolate Coating

Ingredients:
10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1-2 drops peppermint oil
Directions:
1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. 
2. 
Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.

Unattractive, Lazy Chocolate Covered Cookies.

Notes: Watch your cookies! I baked mine for the recommended amount of time and they are a wee bit crunchy. Not burnt or too hard but I like mine a bit softer. About Extracts/Oils: Pure Peppermint Oil is much stronger than Peppermint Extract. If you use oil you need significantly less than extract.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Coooooookies!

This past Sunday we got together with Mr. Lawyer's high school crew to watch the Eagles lose. Boooooo. Since I really have no clue as to what's going on with football my contribution was cookies! I was a little overzealous with the nut grinder attachment to our new blender (it was SO much fun!) so instead of coarsely crushed peppermints we got more of a peppermint powder but you know what? It was fine! Who wants a piece of chewy peppermint candy when you're munching on a nice soft cookie?

Double Chocolate-Peppermint Crunch Cookies

(Bon Appétit, December 2010)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (not to exceed 61% cacao; 15 to 16 ounces)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 large eggs
4 candy canes or 16 hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir 2 cups chocolate chips in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth (or use a double boiler). Measure 2/3 cup melted chocolate; transfer to a small bowl and reserve for drizzling.
2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt in medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add sugar and extracts, beat until smooth. Add eggs, beat to blend. Beat in melted chocolate from medium bowl. Add dry ingredients, beat until just blended. Stir in remaining chocolate chips. Chill dough for 20 - 30 minutes if too warm to form into balls. Measure 1 level tablespoonful dough and roll between palms to form a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat, spacing cookies 1 1/2 inches apart.
3. Bake until cookies are cracked on top, 8 to 9 minutes. Cookies should remain moist. Do not over bake. Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer cookies on parchment paper to racks to cool completely.
3. Finish cookies by rewarming reserved 2/3 cup chocolate in microwave or over saucepan of simmering water. Drizzle chocolate over cookies using a fork. Sprinkle crushed peppermints on each cookie. Chill until chocolate sets, about 20 minutes. 
Yummmmm! They were a hit and quite wonderful for any chocolate mint fiend. They reminded me of my ever famous birthday cake which I'm sure will be making an appearance soon!