Chocolate Pretzels

You might be thinking that we are making chocolate covered pretzels given the title, but you would be mistaken.  This is Day 3 of the 25 Days of Cookies after all, so these are chocolate pretzel cookies… and they are delicious!  We thought they were going to be more difficult to make, but we were pleasantly surprised how simple they really were.  If you want to impress someone with a unique cookie that is easy to bake, we highly suggest you try this one out… we know this won't be the last time we do!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Sprinkles for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, add butter and sugar.  Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy
3. Mix in egg and vanilla while mixer is still running
4. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt until just blended.  Be sure to occasionally scrape down the sides of the bowl
5. Place sprinkles in a shallow dish
6. Divide the dough in half.  Wrap one of the halves in plastic wrap and set aside
7. With the other half, shape 1 tablespoon of dough with hands into a 9-inch long rope
8. Shape rope into a a loop-shaped pretzel and press ends lightly to seal
9. Gently press the top side of the pretzel into the sprinkles
10. Place pretzels sprinkle side up on an un-greased cookie sheet, about 1/2 inch apart

11. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly browned
12. Transfer to a wire rack to cool
13. Repeat with the second half of the dough
14. Serve or store in an air tight container

Recipe from: Good Housekeeping

What are you baking today? Mari & Kait