Hot Cocoa Cookies

It's the holiday season and I have to hang my head and admit that holiday baking has been the furthest thing from my mind.  Being 9 months pregnant probably has something to do with that, but still!  Today I decided that this must change!  I browsed through some recipes and found this one that I thought would be perfect!  It definitely satisfies the chocolate craving I've been having :) I found the recipe over here. 

Ingredients:

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter

12 oz. chopped semisweet chocolate (bars)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Marshmallows
and I used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of the baking chocolate for the tops of the cookies.


 Directions:

In a medium saucepan, melt together:  butter and 12 oz. chopped semisweet chocolate (bars).  Stir frequently over medium heat until smooth. Let cool for 15 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together:  flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder and  salt.

Using an electric mixer, beat together:  light brown sugar, eggs,  and vanilla extract.

Beat on low speed until smooth, 2 minutes. Mix in the cooled chocolate mixture just until blended. Add the flour mixture in 2 batches, mixing on low speed until just combined. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Arrange about 16 balls 2 inches apart on each cookie sheet, flattening slightly. Bake until the tops of the cookies crack, about 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut 7.5 ounces of semisweet chocolate (bars) into 1-inch squares. Snip 8 marshmallows in half crosswise and stick 1 square of chocolate onto each of the cut sides.

Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and gently press a marshmallow half, chocolate side down, into each cookie. Bake until the marshmallows are just softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer the pans to racks to cool for 5 minutes.
Grate 5 ounces of semisweet chocolate over the hot cookies. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to the racks and let cool. Repeat the process with the remaining dough, marshmallows and chocolate. Bake each batch on a clean sheet of parchment paper.

Seriously, a cookie shouldn't be allowed to taste this good!
From my kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

 photo credit