Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Christmas Cookie Plates


Yes, I'm aware it's March. It's a bit late for Christmas cookies, but I was going through some old pictures and figured I'd share these. My Christmas cookie plates for coworkers and neighbors this year included, clockwise from the top: triple aphrodisiac cookies, peanut brittle, something my housemate Lisa calls chocoballs, peppermint bark, triple ginger cookies, and (in the center of the plate) slices of persimmon pudding. All homemade of course, and all delicious. And although persimmon pudding always has my vote in wintertime, my coworkers most loved my good friend Monica's recipe for triple aphrodisiac cookies: chocolate and coffee and cayenne, oh my! These little gems are perfect for Valentine's Day (which, yeah, I also missed. Sorry.), but they can be equally enjoyed year-round.

This was the scene the night of our cookie plate assembly madness: so yummy! I'm not sure what the tube of toothpaste was doing in the middle of it, but the rest looks pretty damn good.


Triple Aphrodisiac Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/8 cup flour
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne (as comfort levels dictate)
2 tsp finely ground coffee
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips

Sift all dry ingredients together. In a large bowl, cream butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients and then chocolate chips. Roll dough into 1.5-2" balls and place on a greased and floured or parchment-lined cookie sheet; they'll spread slightly as they bake. Bake at 375ºF for 10-12 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.


P.S. Happy birthday to our blog! Teapots and Polka Dots is one year old today. Woohoo!

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