Viennese Chocolate Pepper Cookies Recipes

VIENNESE CHOCOLATE PEPPER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
• Using a stand mixer on medium speed, soften the butter, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, if still a little gritty, about 2 minutes. Beat in 3/4 teaspoon of the pepper and the allspice. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and stir in the flour mixture, just until combined.
• Lightly dust the work surface with flour and turn the dough onto it. Roll gently into a 9-inch log, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
• Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liner.
• Slice the log into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 6 minutes, then rotate the baking sheets top to bottom and front to back. Bake for about 6 more minutes, or until the cookies are slightly puffed and the tops feel springy. Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer the cookies to racks to cool completely.
• In a small bowl, mix the confectioners' sugar with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. After all of the cookies are cooled, sift the sugar-pepper mixture over the cookies through a fine-mesh strainer. Store in an airtight container at room temperature between layers of wax paper for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

VIENNESE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Combine flour and ground almonds; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. , Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/4-in. round cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., Spread jam on the bottoms of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip half of each sandwich cookie into chocolate mixture; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in an airtight container.