Cookies For Dummies
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Cocoa Brownie Balls are an irresistible, pop-in-your mouth holiday treat. Make a batch of these brownie balls for your Christmas cookie plate if you need to add a chocolate "something." These brownies are dressed up and decorated with confectioners' sugar, which makes them look like snowflakes. They flatten out a bit as they bake and become cakey cookies.

Cocoa Brownie Balls

Preparation time: 4-1/4 hours; includes chilling

Baking time: 8 minutes

Yield: 4 dozen

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter

1/2 cup (scant) natural cocoa powder, sifted

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

  1. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl and set aside.

  2. Melt the butter in a heavy, 1-quart saucepan over low heat. Stir in the cocoa powder and blend until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Using a mixer, combine the cocoa powder mixture with the eggs in a large mixing bowl and blend well. Blend in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in three stages, blending well after each addition. Stir in the walnuts. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  3. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Roll teaspoonfuls of the dough into balls and roll the balls in confectioners' sugar. Place the balls on the cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between them.

  4. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, until set. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and transfer the cookies from the parchment paper to cooling racks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Freeze for longer storage.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Carole Bloom, CCP, is a baking instructor, spokesperson, and the author of six cookbooks. She has written for Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and Chocolatier and has appeared on The Today Show and ABC News.

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