Ingredients
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finely chopped nuts
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
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1/3 cup sifted Dutch-processed cocoa powder
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons espresso powder, dissolved in
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1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
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1 egg white, mixed with
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1 teaspoon water
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nonpareils or colored crystal sugar
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4 ounces fine semisweet chocolate or 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt Excellence
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1 teaspoon boiling water
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2 teaspoons light corn syrup
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6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Make cookies:
- Sift together the flour, cocoa, and salt. Set aside.
- In bowl of electric mixer, using paddle attachment, mix butter on medium-low speed until it is creamy and lightened in color. Add the sugar in a steady stream, and beat until thoroughly combined.
- Add the egg, espresso, and vanilla.
- Scrape down sides of bowl as needed, then mix in melted chocolate.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and blend in dry ingredients in two additions, mixing only to combine after each addition.
- Remove dough from bowl and divide into quarters.
- Form each quarter into a 4" disk and wrap in plastic, refrigerate for 30-40 minutes or until firm enough to roll.
- You should be able to leave an imprint when you press dough.
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F.
- Have ready two ungreased cookie sheets. Working with one-fourth of dough at a time, roll on a lightly floured flat surface until 3/16" thick.
- Using a 2 1/2" round cookie cutter or a cookie cutter of your choice, cut cookies from the dough.
- Transfer cookies to a sheet of waxed paper and brush lightly with egg/water mixture. Sprinkle with pearl sugar or other garnishes.
- Carefully place on cookie sheets.
- Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, for 9-10 minutes.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack while still warm, and cool completely.
- Repeat with remaining dough.
- MAKE GANACHE:
- Break chocolate into 1" pieces and place into bowl of a food processor.
- Process until chocolate is finely chopped. Empty chocolate into a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream and corn syrup on low heat until it comes to a gentle boil.
- Immediately pour hot cream over chopped chocolate.
- Let it stand for about 1 minute, then stir chocolate and cream together, slowly mixing until all chocolate is melted and mixture is fully emulsified.
- Blend in rum and vanilla.
- If surface is oily, stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of hot water.
- Glaze should thicken as it stands, but remain pourable.
- If ganache fails to thicken, chill it in refrigerator for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Watch carefully, as it must not be too cold. Spoon ganache over cookies, letting it trickle down the sides.