If She Doesn't Teach It, I Don't Need to Know It

You knew it was coming. You couldn't have not known. I've been waiting, trying to decide which recipe to impress you with. I stressed over disrespecting her by posting a recipe that isn't on her website for general knowledge, but rather in a book that you should buy to get. Pouring through one book led to me spending several hours catching up on all her books that I own (which happens to be 8).

Martha Stewart has all my admiration. I think that her brand is brilliant. I honestly mean if she doesn't teach it, then I don't need to know it. She covers all the things I want to be good at: cooking, cleaning, organizing, gardening and crafting. Her books/magazines/tv shows/collections encompass all of my interests. If I could do half the things she teaches I would be exactly where I want to be. If you ever doubt about a gift to get me look no further than Martha. If it has her name on it, I'm sure I need it.

Ok, back to matters at hand. The recipe. Honestly I stressed about this. I didn't initially want to post anything that is in one of her cookbooks, lest her legal team come after me (ha, as if there's someone besides me who reads this), but after realizing I own 8 of her books, subscribe to her magazine, and always request Martha products for holidays, I think she can lend me one recipe. I ended up deciding on a cookie that I love. I don't care if no one else likes it, but this is my cookie.

Recipe: Chocolate Mint Sandwiches

Makes: 3 dozen cookies

Recipe originated from: Martha Stewart's Cookies Cookbook (page 284). Honestly, this book is amazing. Get it if you don't already have it. I love her Cupcakes cookbook too, but I feel like this one gets more use. You can get it for $8 on Amazon. How could you say no?

Compliments: A hot summer night filled with fireflies or a cold winter night filled with firelight.

Ingredients:
for the cookies:
- 1 cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- powdered sugar for work surface

for the ganache:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

for the glaze:
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions:
1. To make cookies: Whisk together cocoa powder and flour in a bowl. Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy- about 3 minutes. Mix in egg until well blended. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Divide dough in half, and shape each half into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer dough to a work surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out cookies using a 2-inch round cookie cutter; space 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining scraps of dough. Bake cookies until firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.
3. Meanwhile, make ganache: Place chopped chocolate in a large bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once cream has come to a boil, pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds, then stir with spatula until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Let cool slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Spoon 1 teaspoon ganache onto the bottom of one cookie; sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and ganache. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
5. Make glaze: Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring constantly. Let cool slightly. Dip one flat side of each sandwich into melted chocolate to coat; gently shake off excess. Place sandwiches, chocolate sides up, on wire racks set over baking sheets. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

So they take a while, but to me they are totally worth it. Homemade thin mints. Freeze them and they're perfect. Makes me wish Christmas was here in less than 159 days.

Abby xx