Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprints Food

CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl; set aside.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in two batches, beating until just combined after each addition. Mix in the chocolate chips.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into smooth round balls. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 ̊. Bake the cookies until just set, 9 to 11 minutes. (Don't overbake!) Let cool slightly, then press the handle of a wooden spoon into the center of each cookie to make a small indentation. Remove the cookies to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, melt the milk chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate into the center of each cookie and top with crushed peppermints. Let set.

CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup each butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; beat to combine. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat to combine.
• Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in sugar to coat. Place balls, 1 inch apart, on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 5 minutes. Remove sheets from oven; with the small end of a melon baller or the bottom of a small round measuring spoon, make an indentation in center of each cookie.
• Bake until cookies are just set but still look moist, 4 minutes (do not overbake). Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter in 10-second increments until melted; stir in peppermint extract. Let cool until thick enough to pipe, 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large zip-top bag; snip 1/4-inch hole in one corner. Pipe chocolate into cookie indentations. Store in airtight containers, up to 1 week.

CHOCOLATE-MINT THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375. In large bowl, beat sugar, 1 cup butter and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg yolk until smooth. Beat in flour and cocoa.
• Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into 1 inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls 1 inch apart. With inxes finger or thumb, make indentation in center of each ball.
• Bake 7-9 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter and the powdered sugar on low speed until smooth. Beat in milk, peppermint extract and enough food color for desired color. Spoon about 1/2 t. filling into each cookie.
• Melt the chocolate chips and shortening, and drizzle over the tops of each cookie.

PEPPERMINT-FUDGE THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat sugar, butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended. Stir in flour, cocoa and salt until dough forms.
• Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into 1-inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart. Press thumb or end of wooden spoon into center of each cookie, but do not press all the way to the cookie sheet.
• Bake 7 to 11 minutes or until edges are firm. If necessary, quickly remake indentations with end of wooden spoon. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Cool about 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Spoon rounded 1/2 teaspoon filling into indentation in each cookie. Top with decors.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a med bowl, whisk dry ingredients together.
• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add egg and vanilla to butter mixture.
• Combine gradually flour mixture to butter mixture.
• Roll dough in one inch balls, then roll in xtra sugar to coat (can use sanding sugar).
• Place on parchment lined pans 1 inch apart.
• Bake 5 minutes then remove from oven and make thumbprint (I used a melon baller) to make indention in center of each cookie.
• Return to oven and bake 4 minutes exactly (they look raw, but don't worry :).
• Remove pan from oven and place kiss on each cookie.
• They need to sit for a few hours to set.