Tasty Tuesday: Cookies II

"When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste."
-Laiko Bahrs

Hello! With the holidays upon us my thoughts ALWAYS turn to cookies. I love to make cookies and give them as gifts - people always appreciate food! The picture below shows three of the 15 types of cookies that I make (cherry, lemon, chocolate). Today I would like to share the recipe for the chocolate cookies. Enjoy!

"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are."
-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin




Ingredients:

Cookies:

* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup oil
* 1 cup cocoa powder
* 1 Tbsp. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp. allspice
* 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
* 1 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1 tsp. chocolate extract
* 1 cup milk
* 1 bag of chocolate chips
* Flour (start with 3 cups, and keep more nearby if needed)

Icing:

* 1 cup confectioners sugar
* 2-3 Tbsp warm milk
* 1 tsp. chocolate extract (if you would like)


Equipment Needed:

* Large mixer

Directions:

Cookies:

1.) Preheat oven to 350°.
2.) Beat sugar, eggs and oil together until blended.
3.) Add cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, spices & extracts.
4.) Beat until blended.
5.) Slowly add milk until well mixed.
6.) Mix in chocolate chips.
7.) Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
8.) Add more flour if needed. (dough will be soft and a bit sticky)
** DO NOT add too much flour or your cookies will be dry **
9.) Shape dough into small balls, using about 1 Tbsp for each.
10.) Arrange dough balls 1" apart on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
11.) Bake 10 min, until lightly browned.
12.) Do not over-bake - they will become too hard and dry.
13.) Remove from cookie sheets and cool.
14.) Ice when cooled

Icing:

1.) Combine confectioners sugar & milk in small bowl.
2.) Whip lightly with spoon until smooth and slightly thick.
3.) Add chocolate extract and mix well. (if you are using)
4.) Dip tops of cookies into icing.
5.) Let set until icing is dry to the touch.
6.) Store in well sealed container.


Thought of the Day:

“It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need, and our air force has to have a bake-sale to buy a bomber.”
-Robert Fulghum

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!