Random Recipe - Chocolate Raspberry Sandwiches

I made the prettiest little cookies today! So subtle and not overly sweet ... think chocolate shortbreads with seeded raspberry jam and those sprinkled top layers with a peek-a-boo to tempt you. That's it ... in a nutshell ...



Speaking of nutshells, the next time I make them, I will spread Nutella instead of the raspberry jam ... yum!

This recipe is not only a nod to my husband's sweet tooth. It is this month's Random Recipe for Dom over at Belleau Kitchen. His challenge this month was to bake a 'something sweet' ... so I chose Nick Malgieri's book, bake! ... flipped to the cookie section and then closed my eyes and turned to a page in the section. Voila !

Chocolate Raspberry Sandwiches

courtesy of Nick Malgieri

Ingredients:

2 c. all-purpose flour

⅓ c. alkalized cocoa powder, sifted after measuring

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

½ c. sugar

¼ tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ c. raspberry jam - seedless or seeded-your choice

confectioner's sugar for dusting

Makiing the Cookies:

1. Place the softened butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand-mixer and mix for about 5 minutes until the sugar and butter are thoroughly incorporated and there are not distinguishable sugar crystals ... smoothness completely.

2. Whisk together the flour and sifted cocoa. Add the dry to the wet in three different additions, stirring it in slowly.

3. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. No need to chill this dough ... roll each piece out on a lightly floured surface to ¼ -inch thickness.

4. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350° F.

5. Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to make the cookies, placing them on the parchment paper sheets about an inch or two apart (minimal spreading here).

6. Place them in the pre-heated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes.

7. Remove them immediately from the hot sheets and cool on a foil-lined counter.

8. When all the cookies are baked, match up the perfect sandwich fits. Spread jam on one side (use the underside for the jam so that the cookies look perfect from all angles). Dust the top layer with confectioner's sugar and carefully top the sandwiches.

9. Place cookies on a pretty platter and have a tea party!