Double Chocolate Cookies (w/white chocolate and peppermint at Christmastime)- adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

 

1 cup (8 ounces) butter, cool room temperature (not warm or overly soft!)
3/4 cup (5.5 ounces) lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs (3.5 ounces)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (2 ounces) natural, unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 bag of the large white chocolate melting chips
Candy canes for crushing

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners.

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer (or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar together until well-mixed, 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until just combined (it's ok if there are a few dry streaks). Mix in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop the dough and shape into heaping tablespoon-sized balls
6. Place a couple inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-11 minutes (watch closely and don't overbake; the edges will be set with soft middles).
7. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Once completely cooled, store in the refrigerator while you prepare the chocolate and candy canes.
9. Melt bag of white chocolate over double boiler or carefully in microwave until smooth.  Crush candy canes with a rolling pin in a ziplock bag until it’s as fine or rough as you like.  Place in a small bowl.
10. Place wax paper on the counter.  Remove cooled cookies from the fridge and one at a time, dip half of each cookie into the white chocolate, letting excess chocolate drip off, and then dipping the white chocolate covered half into the crushed candy canes.  Place cookie on wax paper to let chocolate harden.  These are so pretty and so wonderfully delicious!  You won’t be able to stop eating them.