Cookie Time

Jan-Feb5-2012 008One of my clients recently asked me to make these chocolate shortbread cookies for her, and a friend of hers asked for the recipe, so I’m posting it again now.

I’m headed out of town this weekend to compete in the 20th annual Onion Man Triathlon in Walla Walla. I did a lot of triathlons several years ago, but for the past couple of years I’ve mostly focused on running marathons. Now, I’m trying to get back in triathlon shape, with the ultimate goal of doing a the Ironman 70.3 Calgary at the end of July.

Hope everyone has a good weekend, I’ll let you know how it goes next week.

Cocoa Nib Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons (1.5 cubes) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa nibs
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a bowl and whisk. Sift if there are any lumps in the cocoa powder.

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed until very smooth–about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients and mix just until they disappear into the dough. Fold in the cocoa nibs and chocolate chips with a sturdy spatula.

Divide the dough into two equal parts and place each on a 12- to 14-inch length of parchment paper, waxed paper or plastic wrap. Smooth and pat the dough into a rectangle by flattening the top and sides with your hands. Use the paper to help roll and shape dough into two logs, 2 inches in diameter and about 10 inches long. Twist the ends of the paper to seal the log, and chill until firm–at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. (Logs of shortbread dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.)

Preheat oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice cookies ¼- to ½-inch thick and place them about 1 inch apart, in 3 or 4 rows, on prepared pans. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the baking time. The cookies should be firm to the touch.

Recipe from The Grand Central Baking Book by Piper Davis and Ellen Jackson (Ten Speed Press, 2009).

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