Noche Buena Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 10 Min.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 10 Min.
What you need:
* 1 1/2 c. flour
* 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 tsp. chili powder
* 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 2/3 c. granulated sugar
* 2 large egg yolks
* 2 Tbsp. coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua® (or 2 Tbsp. brewed coffee)
* 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
* 4 oz. finel quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, melted and cooled
* 1/2 c. dulce de leche or very thick, spreadable caramel
For garnish (optional)
* ground almonds
* additional cocoa, cinnamon and /or chili powder
* 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 tsp. chili powder
* 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 2/3 c. granulated sugar
* 2 large egg yolks
* 2 Tbsp. coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua® (or 2 Tbsp. brewed coffee)
* 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
* 4 oz. finel quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, melted and cooled
* 1/2 c. dulce de leche or very thick, spreadable caramel
For garnish (optional)
* ground almonds
* additional cocoa, cinnamon and /or chili powder
What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF with oven racks in upper and lower thirds.
2. Sift or whisk together flour, cocoa, chili powder, cinnamon and salt in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
3. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl. Using an electric mixer or wooden spoon, beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg yolks, coffee liqueur (or coffee) and vanilla, beating well, scraping down the sides after each addition. Mix in the cooled chocolate.
5. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients 1/2 c. at a time, and mix until combined well.
6. Drop batter by rounded teaspoons 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with ground almonds. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until cookies are puffed up and dry looking around the edges, 8 to 10 min. Transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool.
7. Continue with the remaining dough, making sure to let the baking sheets cool between batches.
8. To fill the cookies; spread 1/2 tsp. of dulce de leche on the flat side of a cookie, top with a second cookie to form a sandwich. Fill remaining cookies in the same manner.
9. Dust with additional cocoa powder and a sprinkle of cinnamon, ground almonds and/or chili powder.
Shopping notes:
*For the best chocolate flavor, look for bittersweet chocolate with a minimum of 60 percent cocoa solids.
**Dulce de leche is available near the canned milk at Latin markets and many supermarkets. To make your own from condensed milk, visit www.milk.com/recipes/dessert/dulce-de-leche.html
2. Sift or whisk together flour, cocoa, chili powder, cinnamon and salt in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
3. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl. Using an electric mixer or wooden spoon, beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg yolks, coffee liqueur (or coffee) and vanilla, beating well, scraping down the sides after each addition. Mix in the cooled chocolate.
5. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients 1/2 c. at a time, and mix until combined well.
6. Drop batter by rounded teaspoons 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with ground almonds. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until cookies are puffed up and dry looking around the edges, 8 to 10 min. Transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool.
7. Continue with the remaining dough, making sure to let the baking sheets cool between batches.
8. To fill the cookies; spread 1/2 tsp. of dulce de leche on the flat side of a cookie, top with a second cookie to form a sandwich. Fill remaining cookies in the same manner.
9. Dust with additional cocoa powder and a sprinkle of cinnamon, ground almonds and/or chili powder.
Shopping notes:
*For the best chocolate flavor, look for bittersweet chocolate with a minimum of 60 percent cocoa solids.
**Dulce de leche is available near the canned milk at Latin markets and many supermarkets. To make your own from condensed milk, visit www.milk.com/recipes/dessert/dulce-de-leche.html