Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 oz 56g dark chocolate
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp 160g all purpose flour
• ¼ cup 21g cocoa powder (I prefer this one)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup 113g unsalted butter
• ½ cup 110g packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp 5ml pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp pure peppermint extract (optional)
• 8 large marshmallows (cut in half)
• 5 oz 142g dark chocolate
• crushed peppermint candy (for topping)

Instructions

1. Make the cookie dough. Melt chocolate gently in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water or in the microwave with short bursts and frequent stirring. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and whisk to blend evenly.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and both sugars using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula (or an electric hand mixer) until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla extract and peppermint extract (if you choose to use it) until evenly incorporated. Mix in cooled melted chocolate. Add flour mixture and fold it in until just incorporated.
4. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Roll dough into 16 smooth balls and place them onto the baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven and press one half of a marshmallow cut-side-down into the center of each cookie. Place the tray back into the oven for 2 minutes to melt the marshmallow a bit. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack. The marshmallows will have puffed a bit in the oven. You can lightly press down on each marshmallow to help it spread and stick if you wish. Let cool completely.
7. Decorate the cookies. Once cooled, cover the marshmallow on each cookie with melted chocolate then sprinkle peppermint candy on top. Allow the chocolate to set before storing and then enjoy!