Chocolate Cut Out Sugar Cookies

I've had a lot of trouble finding just the right sugar cookie recipe. Usually, if it's easy to cut out & holds it's shape well, it tastes horrible. If it tastes great- it doesn't keep it's shape. Then, I found this recipe which added cocoa into the mix. It rolls out well. They only expand a smidge. And just about everything tastes better with chocolate, right?

This recipe is a keeper. I used it to make some turkey cookies for Thanksgiving. Well, practice cookies of the taste testing variety. I'll be baking up a double batch for Thanksgiving day. The key is to refrigerate the dough for several hours before rolling it out. Then, bake the cookies on parchment or a silpat so they don't burn. If you can smell the chocolate aroma coming from your oven, they're probably almost finished baking.

I didn't decorate mine, but I wouldn't be opposed to biting into one of these with a drizzle of white chocolate or maple glaze.

Chocolate (Cut Out ) Sugar Cookie Recipe

Yields approximately 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature'
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten together
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to form the dough. Divide dough in half and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 375*F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 1/8th inch. Cut as desired with the cookie cutters. Re-roll leftover dough using extra flour & refrigeration as necessary.

Bake cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for five minutes before placing cookies on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Decorate as desired.

Adapted from this recipe.

Enjoy!