Cocoa Sandwich Cookie

Makes 24 cookies, enough for 12 ice cream sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa, dutched
• 1/4 teaspoon Clabber Girl Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as canola
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Line baking sheets with parchment or a silpat to prevent dough from sticking.

Sift together the flour, coca powder, Clabber Girl Baking Powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer or hand held beaters, mix the butter and sugar till blended. Add the oil, then slowly pour in the eggs over the course of about 2 minutes. Add the water and vanilla then turn the power off. Add all the dry ingredients at once and mix on a low speed, slowly increasing up to medium high. Mix just until fully incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

Using a scoop or a large spoon, divide the dough into 24 equal balls. Place 6 to 8 balls of dough on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches around each one. Flatten each ball of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness, using your hands or by placing a small square of plastic wrap over the cookie and pressing flat with the base of a small bowl. If you like, mark the flattened dough with the tines of a fork. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.

Bake one sheet at a time for only 10 minutes. Cool the cookies on a wire rack and store them layered, lined with plastic or wax paper between each layer, in an airtight container until ready to use. Cookies may be made up to 3 days in advance.

Comments:

This cookie, along with vanilla ice cream, results in the classic ice cream sandwiches that I knew as a kid. For a more refined and meltingly delicious flavor than any store bought version, I find "dutched" cocoa powder tastes best. I am always surprised at the range of flavor in various cocoa powders. Seek out high quality chocolate products and taste a few cocoa powders to select your favorite.

Submitted By:

Mani Niall