She Strengthens

Checkerboard Cookies: A Delicious and Visually Stunning Treat

Are you looking for a unique and impressive cookie recipe to add to your holiday spread or bake sale lineup? Look no further than these stunning checkerboard cookies! With their striking pattern and delicious flavor, they’re sure to be a hit.

The Magic of Checkerboard Cookies

What makes these cookies so special is the way they’re constructed. By layering vanilla and chocolate dough in a checkerboard pattern, you create a visually stunning cookie that’s almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

The Recipe

To make these cookies, you’ll need:

• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 sticks (10 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature

Step-by-Step Instructions

To create these beautiful cookies, follow these steps:

Melt the Chocolate

Place the chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring at 30-second intervals to avoid burning.

Prepare the Dough

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla extract. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and beat until combined.

Divide and Conquer

Divide the dough in half and add the melted chocolate to one half. Mix until the chocolate is fully incorporated. Divide each half of the dough into two equal portions and shape into logs.

Create the Checkerboard Pattern

Cut each log into four equal pieces and layer them in a checkerboard pattern, alternating between vanilla and chocolate dough. Gently press the layers together to form a cohesive log.

Chill and Bake

Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the racks to divide the oven into thirds. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice each log into 1/4-inch-thick cookies and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake for 7 minutes, then rotate the pans and continue baking until the edges are set, about 5-6 minutes more.

Enjoy Your Masterpiece!

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 3 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. You’ll be left with a delicious and visually stunning treat that’s sure to impress.

Tips and Variations

• To freeze the dough, wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
• Experiment with different flavors, such as adding nuts or spices to the dough.
• These cookies make a great addition to holiday cookie plates, bake sales, or care packages.

With these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a delicious and visually stunning treat that’s sure to impress. Happy baking!