Peppermint Cocoa Swirl Cookies Food

PEPPERMINT PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg yolk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half; mix extract and food coloring into one portion., Between waxed paper, roll each portion of dough into a 16x10-in. rectangle. Remove waxed paper. Place red rectangle over plain rectangle; roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate overnight or until firm., Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap and cut dough into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake until set, 12-14 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIE SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• For the peanut butter cookie dough: Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
• Beat 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 1 egg and beat until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla until creamy. Reduce the speed to medium and add the flour mixture, then beat until completely incorporated. Turn out the dough and form into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle, then wrap tightly in plastic. Freeze until beginning to firm up, 30 minutes. (Do not over-chill or the dough will crack when rolled.)
• Meanwhile, make the sugar cookie dough: Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
• Beat 2 sticks butter and 1 cup granulated sugar together in a large bowl on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Reduce the speed to medium, add the flour mixture and beat until completely incorporated. Turn out the dough and form dough into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle and wrap tightly in plastic. Freeze until beginning to firm up, 30 minutes. (Do not over chill or the dough will crack when rolled.)
• Make the brownie batter: Whisk the cocoa together with the remaining 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter and whisk with the remaining 3/4 cup dark brown sugar in another medium bowl until incorporated. Add the remaining 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until smooth with no large lumps of sugar remaining. Fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir vigorously for 15 seconds until the batter is very thick and smooth.
• Generously flour a large piece of parchment paper and roll the peanut butter dough into a 16-by-12-inch rectangle. Repeat with the sugar cookie dough. Using the parchment to help you, lift the sugar cookie dough and flip it onto the peanut butter dough, parchment-side up, so that edges of both doughs are lined up. Brush off any excess flour and trim the edges to square off all sides. Evenly spread the brownie batter over the entire surface of the sugar cookie dough using an offset spatula. Position the dough so that one of the short sides is facing you. Working from the bottom edge closest to you and using the parchment to help you, roll the dough up tightly, peeling back the parchment as you roll and form a tight log. Keep the log covered in parchment and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from the freezer and roll gently on the counter to create a more circular log. Freeze until solid, at least 5 hours and up to 24.
• Position 2 oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Slice half the frozen dough with a sharp knife into 1/2-inch slices (keep the remaining dough frozen until ready to bake) and place on the lined pans spaced 2 inches apart (about 6 per sheet). Bake, switching the positions of the cookie sheets halfway through, until the peanut butter cookie is golden brown but the sugar cookie is still blonde, 14 to 18 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
• Let the baking sheets cool completely, then slice the remaining frozen dough and repeat.
• Store the cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

PUMPKIN SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• For the sugar cookie dough: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat together the granulated sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the bowl and paddle once, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat to fully combine. Add the vanilla and beat to combine. Turn off the mixer. Add half of the dry ingredients and turn the mixer to low; beat until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and paddle, add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and increase the mixer speed to medium low for 1 minute to make sure the dough is well combined.
• Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Use a rubber spatula to spread and press the dough into a flat rectangle. Add a second piece of plastic wrap on top, and flatten the rectangle using a rolling pin to approximately 8 by 10 inches. Wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• For the pumpkin cookie dough: Whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat together the brown sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the bowl and paddle once, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat to fully combine. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and beat to combine. Turn off the mixer. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and paddle, then add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and beat on medium low for 1 minute to make sure the dough is well combined.
• Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Use a rubber spatula to spread and press the dough into a flat rectangle. Add a second piece of plastic wrap on top and flatten with a rolling pin to approximately 8 inches by 10 inches. Wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Unwrap the pumpkin cookie dough and place on a lightly floured piece of parchment. Lightly flour the top and a rolling pin and roll into a larger rectangle about 10 1/2 by 16 inches (see Cook's Note). Slide the parchment with the dough onto a baking sheet and refrigerate while you repeat the process with the sugar cookie dough. Roll and refrigerate the sugar cookie dough in the same manner.
• Use a pastry brush to dust off any excess flour from the top of the pumpkin cookie dough. Using the parchment to help you, flip the pumpkin cookie dough onto the sugar cookie dough, lining up the 2 rectangles as closely as possible. Cut the dough in half crosswise with a very sharp knife or pastry cutter so you now have 2 rectangles that are 10 1/2 by 7 inches. Stack the dough rectangles on top of one another so you now have 4 layers of alternating cookie dough. Cut this stack crosswise into 6 rows, then lengthwise into 4 rows so you end up with a total of 24 squares. Stack one layered square on top of a second one and, using lightly floured hands, gently press the edges together and round into a domed ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining squares, evenly spacing 6 dough balls on each lined baking sheet.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the cookies are puffed in the center and golden brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on the pans 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet to cool completely.
• For the glaze: Meanwhile, whisk together the confectioners' sugar with the pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Add the milk and whisk until completely incorporated. Transfer to a quart-sized resealable plastic bag or piping bag. Snip the end and drizzle the cooled cookies with the icing. Let set, about 20 minutes.

RIBBON OR SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• For the vanilla dough: Mix the 2 sugars and the salt together in a medium bowl. In another small bowl, whisk the egg and mint extract and set aside. With a hand held mixer beat the butter until smooth in a large bowl. While mixing, gradually add the sugar mixture, and continue beating until lightly colored and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stop mixing and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg mixture and beat until smooth. Gradually add the flour, mixing slowly until blended.
• Turn the dough out of the bowl, divide in half. Place the halves between 2 pieces of lightly floured parchment or waxed paper. Roll into a 10 by 12 by 1/4 inch rectangle. Slide the sheets of dough/parchment sheets onto a baking sheet, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
• For the chocolate dough: Whisk the sugar, cocoa, salt in a medium bowl. With a hand held mixer beat the butter until smooth in a large bowl. While mixing, add the cocoa mixture, and continue beating until lightly colored and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Stop mixing and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg and beat until smooth. Gradually add the flour, mixing slowly until blended.
• Turn the dough out of the bowl, divide in half. Place the halves between 2 pieces of lightly floured parchment or waxed paper. Roll into a 10 by 12 by 1/4 inch rectangle. Slide the sheets of dough/parchment sheets onto a baking sheet, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
• For a spiral cookie: Put 1 of the chocolate doughs on the workspace and remove the top sheet of parchment. Brush dough lightly with cold water. Place a sheet of vanilla dough on the workspace, and remove top sheet of paper. Using the bottom piece of the paper to lift the dough, place the vanilla dough on top of the chocolate dough. Take care to line up the edges of the 2 doughs and trim as needed. Lightly press to smooth and seal the doughs together. Remove the top piece of paper. Brush the surface of the dough lightly with cold water. Position the sandwiched doughs with the long edge facing you. Using the edge of the paper as a guide, roll the doughs into a tight cylinder, 2 inches wide. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. Repeat with remaining 2 sheets of dough.
• Evenly position racks in the oven, and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Slice the dough crosswise into 1/4-inch thick cookies. Lay about 1/2-inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until just golden - not too dark you'll lose the definition of the spiral, about 14 to 16 minutes.
• Roll and layer the two doughs into 15 by 18-inch rectangles, and 1/4-inch thick in the same way as the Spiral Cookies. Put 1 of the chocolate doughs on the work space and remove the top sheet of parchment. Brush lightly with a little cold water. Place 1 of vanilla doughs on the work space. Remove top sheet of paper, and use the bottom piece of the paper to lift the dough onto the chocolate dough. Take care to lining up the edges of the dough. Lightly press to smooth and seal the doughs together. Remove the top parchment.
• Trim the edges on the layered doughs with a pizza cutter using a ruler or other straight edge as a guide. Working with the short edge facing you, cut the layered dough in half vertically. Set 1 piece on top of the other and then turn the dough, to have the long side facing you. Cut the dough in half again and set 1 piece on top of the other. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours before slicing.
• Trim any uneven edges with a sharp knife. Slice blocks into 1/8-inch thick rectangles and bake until the white dough is just beginning to brown, about 16 to 18 minutes.
• Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

HOT CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extract. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until tops are cracked. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Drop a teaspoonful of marshmallow creme into the center of each cookie. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle with candies. Place on waxed paper and let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Divide the dough in half and add chocolate and vanilla to 1 half and incorporate with hands. Add egg yolk, peppermint extract, and crushed candy to other half of dough and incorporate with hands. Cover both with plastic and chill for approximately 5 minutes. Roll out doughs separately to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Place peppermint dough on top of chocolate and press together around the edges. Using waxed paper or flexible cutting board underneath, roll dough into log. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place cookies 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk
• Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a mixer beat together the butter with the sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until smooth after each addition and scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add in the vanilla. On a low speed beat in the flour mixture a little at a time. Gently mix in chocolate chips.
• On an ungreased cookie sheet, drop teaspoons of the batter about 2 inches apart. Bake until just cracked on top, about 8 to10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the cooking time. Cool completely.
• For the glaze: In a small bowl mix together the sugar; mint extract and water until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium resealable plastic bag and snip off the corner. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let cookies stand until set, about 10 minutes.

PEPPERMINT SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350*.
• Beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Stir in flour.
• Divide dough in half.
• Stir peppermint extract and food coloring into one half.
• Divide each color of dough in half.
• Shape each piece of dough on generously floured surface into rope, 12 inches long.
• PLace 2 ropes, 1 red and 1 white, side by side. Twist ropes. Repeat with remaining 2 pieces of dough.
• Cut twisted ropes into 1/2-inch pieces; shape into a ball.
• Place about 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
• Flatten to about 1/4-inch thickness with greased bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until set.
• Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PEPPERMINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, then stir in vanilla and peppermint extracts. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.