Chocolatey Shortbread Bites

Cut these cookies into your favorite holiday shapes or make them into simple circles to dip in melted chocolate.

ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla
Granulated sugar (optional)
4 ounces semisweet or white baking chocolate (optional)
2 teaspoons shortening (optional)

directions

If not using processor: In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir cooled semisweet chocolate and vanilla into butter mixture until combined. With hands, knead dough until it forms a ball and is smooth.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough 1/4-inch thick (18x8-inch rectangle). Use holiday- or circle-shape 2-inch cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Reroll as necessary. (Or, cut rectangle into 2-inch squares.) Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Prick each shape 3 times with fork tines, making sure to go all the way through the dough. If you like, sprinkle with sugar.

Bake in a 325 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are set and tops appear dry. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. If you like, melt 4 ounces semisweet or white chocolate in a small saucepan with shortening. Dip some of the cookie edges in melted chocolate, or drizzle thin chocolate zigzag lines over top of cookies. Makes 36, (2-inch) cookies.

equipment

For food processor: Place steel blade in food processor. Add flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cover and process with on/off turn until combined. Add butter. Cover and process with on/off turn until most of the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add cooled chocolate and vanilla. Cover and process with on/off turn until a dough starts to form. Remove from bowl. With hands, knead dough until it forms a smooth ball. (Do not overwork the dough.)

nutrition facts
(Chocolatey Shortbread Bites)

sat. fat (g) 4, Niacin (mg) 0, Monounsaturated fat (g) 2, Fat, total (g) 6, Thiamin (mg) 0, Riboflavin (mg) 0, chol. (mg) 14, vit. A (IU) 146, iron (mg) 1, pro. (g) 1, carb. (g) 11, Potassium (mg) 32, cal. (kcal) 96, calcium (mg) 10, fiber (g) 1, sugar (g) 5, sodium (mg) 46, Folate (µg) 12