Friday, October 23, 2009

Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies



I first started baking when I was in college and I worked at a local Hallmark shop. I really loved working at Hallmark and to this day I still love going into their stores. I love that their Christmas ornaments come out during the summer and you get a sneak peak. (You should see all the ornaments I’ve collected over the years. I love my Christmas tree!) I loved the gift wrap they sold. It was a great place to work and I worked with a great group of people.

I became the resident baker at the store. I baked cookies every Friday (thus the name of this blog) and I also made things for everyone’s birthday. My coworkers were so nice that they put a tip jar in the staff area, so people could donate to my baking efforts. It was nice, and it kept me well stocked with butter! One year for my birthday the group put together a basket of baking items. One of the items in the basket was a bag of raspberry chocolate chips.


I’d never seen raspberry chocolate chips and was intrigued by what I could make with them. I ended up making these cookies, which for many people are a traditional Christmas cookie. They are traditionally made with mint chips (which are what I used here) but I thought the raspberry chocolate chips would work just as well. Oh, man, did they work well! They had this wonderful chocolate raspberry truffle flavor and anywhere I took them they were gobbled up right away.



Well, I was able to find raspberry chocolate chips for a while, especially at Christmas, but as of a year or two ago I’ve not been able to find them. I found raspberry chocolate swirl chips, but they don’t seem the same. Their raspberry flavor seems more artificial, so I haven’t used those. They are still very good with the mint chocolate chips, and they are very festive for the holidays. I still miss my raspberry chips, but these are still really great.

1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
10 oz. mint chocolate chips, divided
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
About 2/3 cup powdered sugar

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Melt 1 cup mint chocolate chips over low heat or in the microwave. In a large mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the melted mint chocolate chips and vanilla. Beat in the eggs. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients and the remaining mint chocolate chips. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until sides are set but centers are still slightly soft. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe from Favorite Brand Name Cookie Collection

4 comments:

megan said...

wow these look so good. I'll be on the lookout for raspberry chocolate chips around Christmas...wouldn't that be sad if they were gone forever? In the meantime, I'm bookmarking your recipe :)

ShellyH said...

Welcome to the foodie blog roll. I love baking cookies, especially around the holidays. I will have to see if I can find mint chocolate chips and try out your recipe.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

You have a great blog. I am glad I found it. Glad you are on the Foodie Blogroll.

Anonymous said...

I love this recipe and was successful in finding raspberry chocolate chips! Try any stores that sell bulk spices/candy/etc. We have a few local stores in my state that are run by local Mennonite folks and they carry these in bulk. :-) Good luck finding them!