chocolate

Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

Posted by on Dec 11, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 0 comments

I’ve shared a sequence of Peppermint Bark Cookies, but this one is my favorite: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies.

Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

The base “Chewy Honey” recipe here will be a familiar one to regulars on Bready or Not–or if you’ve met me at a convention at some point in about the past 10 years and had my Maple or Snickerdoodle versions. This new version is modified to incorporate lots of chopped peppermint bark candy.

Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

As with the similar recipes, the quality of the peppermint bark will not only make a difference in taste but also the prettiness.

Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

As with the other recipes in my “Chewy Honey” collection, these baked cookies will keep for weeks in a sealed container. That makes them great to mail as a holiday gift, but of course, be wary if you’re sending them to or from a warm destination. In an infernal place like Arizona (which I am so glad to be away from), it can still be hot, even into December!

Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

These cookies are soft, sweet, and delicious. Using higher quality peppermint bark will result in tastier, prettier cookies. Note that the dough needs to be chilled prior to baking.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • cookie scoop or spoon
  • parchment paper

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 cup bread flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups peppermint bark chopped
  • more peppermint bark pieces for topping

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add both sugars and honey; beat until creamy and fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl, then mix in the egg and both extracts.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: bread flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Sift together.
  • Slowly stir together the wet ingredients and flour mix until just combined. Fold in the peppermint bark. Encase dough in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge for several hours or days; dough can also be frozen at this stage.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Place parchment paper on cookie sheet. Use a teaspoon or tablespoon to space out cookies on the pan. Press additional peppermint bark pieces into the tops of the dough balls.
  • Small cookies bake 9 to 12 minutes; larger cookies bake in 11 to 13 minutes. Once removed from the oven, let set on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
  • Stored cookies will keep in a sealed container for weeks. They are excellent for travel or shipping.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

    Posted by on Dec 4, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, mint | 0 comments

    Last week, I posted a Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine. This week, I share a reworked version of the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies I’ve made for about two decades. This White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe includes white chocolate melted into the dough, resulting in a smooth, sweet cookie that gets only better with the addition of peppermint bark.

    Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

    A whole bag of white chocolate chips is included in this recipe. A cup is melted for the dough; the rest is added as chips, right along with the coarsely chopped peppermint bark.

    Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

    These cookies are incredible. I preferred them over last week’s take, though both are excellent.

    Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

    Modified from Bready or Not: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.

    Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

    Melted white chocolate chips make this dough especially smooth and sweet, the resulting cookie crisp, chewy, and soft all at once. Use a pretty peppermint bark to make this especially pleasing to the eye. Modified from Bready or Not’s White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
    Servings: 34 cookies
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • microwave-safe small bowl
    • cookie scoop or spoon

    Ingredients

    • 10 ounces white chocolate chips divided
    • 2/3 cup white sugar
    • 11 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 2 cups peppermint bark coarsely chopped, divided (about 12 ounces)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 1 cup of white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power in short increments, 20-25 seconds, and stop to stir between passes until the chips blend smoothly; take care, as it can burn fast! Set aside to cool.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs until they are creamy. Mix in the melted chips. Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold in the remaining chips and 1 cup of peppermint bark.
    • Use a tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to place dough in rounded lumps on cookie sheet. Using the reserved stash of peppermint bark, press a few pieces onto the top of each dough ball. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops just begin to turn light golden brown. Immediately add a few more pieces of peppermint bark onto the top of each cookie. Cool on the sheet for several minutes, then move to a rack to set for about 3 hours; this process can be speeded up by briefly placing cookies in the fridge.
    • Store in a sealed container at room temperature. Best eaten within 5 days.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

      Posted by on Nov 27, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, mint | 0 comments

      This Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe, modified from a holiday Bake from Scratch issue, is the first in a small series of such experiments.

      Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

      One thing I’ll say straight up: peppermint bark can be expensive, and this recipe will look much prettier with nicer bark. I used cheap Palmer Peppermint Bark from Dollar Tree for this recipe, and it doesn’t look as nice as my other experiments.

      Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

      That said, the cheap stuff can still make tasty cookies. These morsels are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate and peppermint flavor. They make for a great holiday treat. If you want to make them year-round, stock up on peppermint bark while you can get it–if you’re lucky, score some on clearance right after Christmas.

      Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

      Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

      These chewy cookies are imbued with chocolate and peppermint. Note that the dough needs to be chilled for at least a few hours prior to baking. Modified from Bake from Scratch November/December 2023.
      Course: Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • plastic wrap
      • parchment paper
      • large cookie scoop

      Ingredients

      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
      • 3/4 cup white sugar
      • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
      • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
      • 10 ounces peppermint bark chopped, divided
      • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
      • flaked sea salt for topping optional

      Instructions

      • In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
      • In another bowl, combined the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, beating until just combined. Measure out 1 cup of the peppermint bark and add that to the dough, folding it in. Add the chocolate chips and fold in.
      • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
      • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
      • Use cookie scoop to dole out dough, spaced out, on cookie sheet.
      • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are set and turning golden brown. Immediately press a piece or two of the reserved peppermint bark onto each round. Add a small pinch of flaked sea salt to each, if desired. Let set until bark pieces solidify, then transfer to a cooling rack.
      • Store cookies in a sealed container up to 4 days.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

        Posted by on Oct 30, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 0 comments

        This recipe for a Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies makes it easy to get two kinds of cookies in one batch. It makes about 90 total cookies!

        Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

        One thing to keep in mind: there is such a huge quantity of dough, stirring it can be tricky. Use your biggest bowl. I did a lot of the mixing in my KitchenAid, then had to finish stirring my hand.

        Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

        The foundation of this recipe is a classic sugar cookie. Soft, sweet, and crumbly. That base is fantastic with additional chocolate. Do note that mini chips are a must here, because the dough is so crumbly.

        Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

        Split this big batch of dough to get both sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Note that mini chocolate chips are a must, as the dough is crumbly. Give the dough time to chill, or freeze it to make even later. Makes about 90 total cookies.
        Course: Dessert, Snack
        Cuisine: American
        Keyword: chocolate, cookies
        Servings: 90 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • cookie scoop or spoon
        • food scale

        Ingredients

        • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
        • 1 cup vegetable oil
        • 1 cup white sugar
        • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
        • 2 large eggs room temperature
        • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 4 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
        • 1 teaspoon baking soda
        • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
        • 1 cup mini chocolate chips

        Instructions

        • In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil, and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet. This will be a lot of dough; if an electric mixer was being used, it may be necessary to switch to stirring by hand.
        • Use a food scale to divide the dough in half. Place one half back in the bowl. Remove a small handful, transferring that to the other portion. Add the mini chocolate chips to the bowl and stir to combine.
        • Wrap each portion of dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Freeze if it needs to be baked beyond that time frame.
        • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
        • Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough. The chocolate chip kind will need to be compressed slightly to make it cohesive.
        • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until cookies are set and tinted golden. Set on a rack to cool, and then place in sealed containers at room temperature.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          Posted by on Aug 21, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          These Sparkling Chocolate Cookies are loaded with flavor and sweetness, and they are outright pretty. Look!

          Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          The chocolate flavor here is from cocoa in the dough along with a whole bag of chocolate chunks. I like Aldi’s dark chocolate chunks, but use whatever you can find.

          Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          It’s important to note that these cookies don’t keep well. They will go hard after a day. Therefore, bake them up and serve them promptly.

          Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          Bready or Not Original: Sparkling Chocolate Cookies

          These pudgy, chocolate-packed cookies are chewy and delicious, and are best eaten within a day. Makes about 50 small cookies.
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Cuisine: American
          Keyword: chocolate, cookies
          Servings: 50 cookies
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • parchment paper
          • cookie scoop

          Ingredients

          • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
          • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
          • 1 cup brown sugar packed
          • 1 large egg room temperature
          • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
          • 1 bag chopped dark chocolate
          • 1/2 cup turbinado sugar for topping

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
          • In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
          • In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate. Measure the turbinado sugar into a another small bowl.
          • Use a cookie scoop or spoon to shape dough. Roll each round in turbinado sugar. Place spaced out on cookie sheet.
          • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until set. Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transitioning to a cooling rack.
          • Store in a sealed container. Cookies are best eaten within a day.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            Posted by on Jun 12, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            Do you need a whole lot of cookies? This Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread recipe has got you covered.

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            This recipe doubles my Pride O’ Scotland Shortbread Recipe (one of the first cookie recipes I ever called ‘mine’ back in my teens) and adds chocolate chips. I’ve reworked my basic shortbread recipe many ways over the years; check out versions with Cookie Butter, Lemon, and Chocolate Chip Espresso.

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            A few important things to mention here. Before the shortbread is baked, be sure to use a fork to poke holes over the top and then cut into the dough to form the shapes of the future cookies. Then, as soon as the pan is out of the oven, cut again along those lines. A lot of classic shortbread recipes produce cookies that are firm and soft, and if they are cut after being cooled, they may just fall apart.

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Chocolate Chip Shortbread

            Need a lot of cookies, without a lot of fuss? This recipe makes that easy, though the sheer quantity of dough requires some hands-on work!
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Cuisine: British
            Keyword: chocolate, cookies, shortbread
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • jelly roll pan (15x10x1)

            Ingredients

            • 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks) softened
            • 2 egg yolks
            • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
            • 4 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
            • 1/2 teaspoon salt
            • 1 cup chocolate chips

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 375-degrees. Line jelly roll pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
            • In a large bowl, beat together the butter, egg yolks, and vanilla. In another bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. If using something like a KitchenAid, by the end, the thick dough will likely require setting the beater aside and using both hands. Distribute the chocolate chips throughout.
            • Press dough into prepared pan. Flatten evenly with palms. Prick surface all over with floured fork. Use a knife or bench knife to score the dough into finger-sized wedges.
            • Bake for at least 20 minutes; the tops should just be turning golden, with the middle set and dry. Remove from oven. Immediately cut again following slash marks.
            • Let shortbread cool. Cut again along slash marks. Use the foil to carefully lift the shortbread onto a cutting board to pull apart the pieces. Shortbread will keep in a sealed container for several days.

            OM NOM NOM!

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