Sugar Cookie Hot Chocolate Recipes

SOFT FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• To make the cookies: In a bowl combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk until incorporated. In another bowl, whisk together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, and mix until well combined. Fear not if the mixture looks sort of clumpy and separated, it comes together when you add the flour. Gradually add in the flour mixture and switch to a rubber spatula if necessary. You can add 1/4 cup more of flour if needed. Divide the dough into two even balls and wrap in cling-film. This is so that a skin does not form on the dough, and it remains smooth. Chill the dough for an hour or two, or until slightly firm. Unwrap the dough dust with flour and, roll to a 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut the dough with cookie cutters, or roll the dough into a log and slice. Keep flouring the tops to prevent it from sticking. Place this dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake the cookie cut outs in a 200 C or 400 F preheated oven for 4-6 minutes - 6 works fine for me, but keep an eye on them as you may need to bake them for a little longer. To make the icing: Whisk together the butter and milk. The softer the butter, the easier this step is. Melted butter is probably the best. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar, beating until fluffy and smooth. Add more milk for a thinner consistency or more sugar for a thicker one. Color the icing with your food dye if you'd like. Spread the icing onto the cookies and top with sprinkles. Wait till the icing has hardened (approx. 1 hour or less if refrigerated) before stacking or serving. (NOTE- the dough keeps well in the freezer for up two months or in the refrigerator for a couple days). For the icing (NOTE- I used enough for 30 cookies as I freezed one of the balls. The recipe below is for 60 cookies.)

HOT CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Process the sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the flour, hot chocolate mix, salt and baking powder, and pulse just to combine. Add the butter, and pulse until it is all incorporated into the flour and the mixture has a sandy texture. Add the eggs and vanilla, and pulse until the mixture comes together in big clumps.
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface, and knead a few times to form a ball. Divide the dough in half, and roll each half into a log about 8 by 1 1/2 inches. Roll each log up in a piece of parchment, and tightly twist the ends. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours up to 1 month.
• Position oven racks in the top and lower thirds of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut 1 log into 1/4-inch-thick slices (you should get about 24). Arrange 12 slices on each prepared baking sheet, and bake until the cookies lose their sheen and stay together when lifted with a metal spatula, about 12 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet until firm enough to transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining log of dough.
• Arrange 24 of the cookies, bottom-side up, on a baking sheet. Put a marshmallow half in the center of each. Bake until the marshmallows puff up and are hot. Gently press 1 of the remaining 24 cookies on top of each marshmallow to form sandwiches. Let the marshmallow centers cool while the cookies are on the baking sheet.
• Microwave the chocolate and honey in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until completely smooth. Use the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula to spread some of the icing on top of each sandwich. Store for up to 2 days at room temperature in an airtight container.

SUGAR COOKIE HOT CHOCOLATE.

Steps:

• Add the milk, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, chocolate, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) to a large pot. Place the pot over medium low heat until the milk is scalding, but not boiling. Be sure to stir the pot often to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom and burning.
• Once the hot chocolate is steaming, ladle into mugs and dollop with whipped cream. Add marshmallows, cookies and a sprinkle of sugar if desired. Drink!