Stepping and Sweets

'Tis the season - as Lucy Van Pelt would say, "Santa Claus and ho-ho-ho, and mistletoe and presents for pretty girls." Well, she left out Christmas parties. This past weekend we attended the Brickyard Boogies Christmas get together and I tossed my culinary glove in the ring for the annual cookie contest. I didn't win but I had a great time trying. Here's the recipe I used in case you're interested:

Chocolate Mint Wafers

1C AP Flour plus more for dusting
1/4t Baking Powder
1/2C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4t Salt
6T Unsalted Butter
1/2C Sugar
1 Large Egg
1/2t Vanilla Extract
12oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4t Peppermint Extract

1. Wisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugar with an electric blender. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour (or overnight).
3. Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Form balls of dough (approximately 1t each) and place on prepared sheets 2 inches apart. Dip the bottom of a glass in flour and flatten balls into 1 1/2 inches round (1/4in thick).Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until slightly firm to the touch - about 8-10 minutes. Immediately transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
4. Combine chocolate, peppermint extract, and 1/8t salt in a large heat-proof bowl and set over simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (2-3 minutes) and remove from heat.
5. Replace parchment on baking sheets. Holding each cookie across the tines of a fork, dip in chocolate to coat completely, then tap underside of fork on side of bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place on parchment and repeat until all cookies are coated. Decorate with nonpareils if desired. Refrigerate until chocolate is hardened (at least 1 hour).

The cookies were a hit among my friends and family, but as I said, they didn't bring home the prize. The winner was a great batch of almond sugar cookies. When the whole subject of cookies and dancing comes to mind I do have one bit of advice: dancing and over-indulging in cookies don't mix. I advise sticking to the sugar buzz stage!