Courtney, is our resident cookie baker these days. She searches to find the best cookie recipes! This is a family favorite:
Chocolate Sugar Cookies (from the Martha Stewart COOKIES book)
- 1 1/2c all purpose flour
- 1/2c unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
- 1t baking powder
- 1/2t salt
- 1/2c unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2c sugar
- 1/2 vegetable shortening ( or 1/2c unsalted butter), melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2t pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375^. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high heat until pale and fluffy. Mix in melted shortening (or butter). Add egg and vanilla; mix until creamy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and mix until creamy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and mix until combined.
Using a 2 1/2″ ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing about 4″ apart. Bake until edges are firm, 18-20 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.
