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Everyone knows December means cookies, and lots of them. It’s almost impossible to not be inspired by the season or the quadrillions of recipes floating around out there. Try as you might to ignore cookie season, sometimes an idea gets stuck in your head, and you just have to do it no matter what. Thanks to the generosity of MySpiceSage.com, I have a lot of spices leftover from my cocktail experimentations, and the cacao nibs were staring at me.

Cacao Nib Shortbread with Peppermint Chocolate

Whenever I make a treat and don’t want to be tempted by it at home, I bring the lot in to the office with me. My department happens to have the nickname of “Hungry Hungry Editorial” as we flock to offers of food like moths to a flame. When I brought these cookies on Thursday it was witnessing swarming at its finest. I sent out the cookie notification e-mail, and 20 seconds after setting them on the counter the people were diving in. Thank-you e-mails came, and then I negotiated my first cookie sale since I wore a green sash and sold on cuteness.

This was my first time baking with cacao nibs and I have to say it was a success. OK, it was a success in the second batch when I had the correct ratio of butter and flour and the cookies held their shape – but still! Even though I love a good melty chocolate chip, I love that cacao nibs stay crunchy after baking, making them the perfect addition to shortbread cookies.

And because I can’t leave well enough alone, I couldn’t resist dipping these little guys in some peppermint semi-sweet chocolate. Double dose of chocolate power, with just the right amount of peppermint for a burst of freshness at the end.

The only question is – do you eat the chocolate covered side first, or save it for last?Cacao Nib Shortbread with Peppermint Chocolate

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Cacao Nib Shortbread with Peppermint Chocolate

Cacao Nib Shortbread with Peppermint Chocolate

Buttery shortbread dipped in peppermint chocolate
Author : Megan Myers
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Recipe Review
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Mix butter and sugar together until sugar is well incorporated. Beat in egg, then flour and cornstarch until dough comes together. Mix in cacao nibs.
  • Turn dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a long log, about 2 inches in diameter.
  • Wrap in plastic and put in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Remove dough from fridge and slice into cookies approximately 1/4-inch thick. Arrange on ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes until just starting to get firm but not browned. Let cool on cookie sheets before removing to racks.
  • Once cookies are cooled, melt chocolate slowly either over a double boiler or in the microwave. If using the microwave, be sure to check after every 30 seconds or so and stop once chips are almost completely melted. Stir until chocolate is smooth, then add in peppermint oil and stir to smooth again.
  • Dip half the cookie into the chocolate, gently shake off excess, and set on wax paper to cool. Alternately, you can fill a pastry bag fitted with a round tip with the chocolate and pipe designs on the tops of the cookies.

Notes

Adapted from Mark Bittman

Nutrition

Calories: 223 kcalCarbohydrates: 28 gProtein: 3 gFat: 13 gSaturated Fat: 7 gCholesterol: 20 mgSodium: 12 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 15 g

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate based on online calculators. Any nutritional information found on Stetted should be used as a general guideline only.

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Cacao Nib Shortbread with Peppermint Chocolate

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About Megan

I learned how to cook by exploring seasonal ingredients, and you can too! Meal time shouldn’t be stressful or complicated, and with fresh ingredients and easy methods, I’m here to help you enjoy the time spent in the kitchen. Read more…

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. This is a wonderfully festive recipe Megan – for me, peppermint really spells Christmas but then you went and made shortbread too? Heaven! Might give these a go in the dark days of January though to brighten things up! Bookmarked!

  2. Absolutely luv this recipe! Shortbread, chocolate, plus holiday peppermint – perfect! So glad to find a last-minute addition to my baking list! (Enjoyed ur blog very much!)