Sunday, December 30, 2007

Holiday Leftovers


IMG_6605, originally uploaded by mud pie gourmet.

We still have the tree up, wreath hanging, and a list of people I need to get presents to, but I know the end of the holidays is here. Now what am I going to do with all those CANDY CANES? They SEEMED like a good idea when I saw them for 88 cents, but I am not the biggest fan, and I definitely don't want the munchkins eating all those cavity-canes. So, I came up with a recipe to get rid of them--Candy Cane Chocolate Cookies. I plan on giving them to friends and bringing them to our "Mediterranean New Years" tomorrow night (I know, not very Greek, but I need to get them out of our house).

I used bread flour for these cookies--something I learned from S.'s Aunt JoAn. They make the cookies so fluffy. Also, I rarely use margarine (like Crisco, it freaks me out), but there is a little in these, also learned from Aunt JoAn (man, we love when she visits--not just for her fun personality, but she always brings her perfectly made cookies). So, make these before you start those New Year's resolutions! Time is ticking...

Candy Cane Chocolate Cookies

2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 T vanilla
6 T margarine (softened)
12 T butter (softened)
3 cups bread flour (I use King Arthur)
3/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
24 candy canes (about two cups), broken into small pieces

Unwrap candy canes and put into a ziplock bag. Break into pieces using a rolling pin.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugars, vanilla, eggs, butter and margarine. Beat in a mixer until fluffy. Combine flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and soda in another bowl. Add slowly to the butter mixture.

Add the candy cane pieces to the dough. Using a cookie scoop get dough, but then roll into a ball in your hand so they all look the same. Cook for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cookies sit for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan.

Note: Aunt JoAn also swears by Air Bake pans, and I went and bought some--LOVE THEM! I've had perfect cookies since.

Caution: I wouldn't advise using Spree candy canes, or Jolly Rancher candy canes in place of the peppermint.


8 comments:

Tracie said...

Ok, I HATE candy canes. They taste more like medicine than candy to me. But I want some of that cookie...RIGHT NOW.

Jenny said...

Great idea! I've got some candy canes in my pantry that need to go! What better place than in some cookies! Happy New Year!!

Haley said...

Hey Jules! I love your FLOG (along with my sisters who love your grandma's orange roll recipe). Thanks for giving us all new advice and things to try!

Carrie said...

I love chocolate and candy canes! Brownies with crushed ones on top and some powdered sugar drizzle is my favorite! I'll have to try these next year as I've got to cut down on the treats! Yikes!

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

Mmm. These look simply perfect.

Are the air bake pans stainless steel? I would like to use something other than aluminum. I'll check them out.

Kelsey Carreon said...

I am Jamie's cousin, I grew up in Fairfax (our dads are brothers).

We are making these cookies tonight (huge storm in Reno/Tahoe area) and they will be perfect next to the fire with some white hot chocolate.

Anonymous said...

Everything on that plate looks amazing!I would love to try this, sounds very simple and nice:)

Anonymous said...

Hey J, love the presentation of the food. Do you take requests?