Shortbread Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- Extra granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Vanilla Extract:
- Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Mix in Cocoa Powder:
- Gradually add the cocoa powder to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
5. Add Flour and Salt:
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the cocoa-butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips:
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape the Cookies:
- Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a disk.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, or simply slice the dough into squares or rectangles.
8. Place on Baking Sheets:
- Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. Optionally, Sprinkle with Sugar:
- If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a little granulated sugar for added sweetness and crunch.
10. Chill (optional):
- Place the baking sheets with the cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
11. Bake the Cookies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- The cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.
12. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Enjoy:
- Serve these delightful Shortbread Chocolate Cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage. They are perfect for chocolate lovers and make a delicious treat any time of day!
These Shortbread Chocolate Cookies combine the rich flavor of cocoa with the buttery goodness of shortbread, creating a heavenly treat that’s sure to please everyone. Enjoy!
