Make These!

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I have a very exciting and generous giveaway for you later today but until then...make these. Or, at least go out and buy the ingredients to make them!

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One of the featured desserts at the recent "Happi Holidays" party was these delightful Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies. One word: YUM!

I just had to share the recipe for this delicious low calorie treat (ahem...). Oh, go ahead, it's the holidays!

Chocolate-Candy Cane Cookies
(Makes 1 1/2 dozen)

Cookies

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg

1. Whisk flour, cocoa, and salt together in medium bowl.
2. Using an electric mixer, or by hand, blend butter and sugar together. Add in egg and mix until combined.
3. Add flour mixture and blend until combined. Chill dough 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop dough into level tablespoons and roll into balls. Place on sheet about 2" apart, and press tops with a glass (edges will crack a bit). Bake one sheet at a time, about 11 minutes, until small indentation appears on top when pressed with finger.
5. Cool completely.

Filling

1 cup + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 drops red food coloring
1/2 c crushed red and white striped candy canes or hard candies

1. Using electric mixer beat powdered sugar and butter together in bowl until smooth.
2. Add peppermint extract and 2 drops of food coloring, beat until blended.
3. Transfer filling into a ziplock bag, down to one corner, snip the tip, and pipe filling onto one cookie, and top with another. (or use a knife to spread filling on cookie, but piping will be faster and easier)
4. Placed crushed candy on plates, and roll cookie sandwiches into candy.

Enjoy!