Chocolate Brownie Sandwich Cookies With White Chocolate Ganache And Strawberry Preserves Recipes

BROWNIE COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or use the microwave. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after each until completely melted. Set aside to slightly cool (so it doesn't melt the butter or cook the eggs).
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat on high speed for 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl, then beat on high for 1 more minute. Pour in the slightly cooled melted chocolate and mix on medium-high speed for 2 full minutes.
• Pour in the the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. Finally, beat in the chocolate chips.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. As the oven preheats, continue to step 6.
• Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for just 20 minutes as the oven preheats. This quick chill time helps slightly solidify the chocolate and butter in the dough, which gives the cookies a nice spread (not over-spread). Chilling for longer creates thicker cookies where, in some cases, they may not spread at all. If chilling for longer than 20 minutes, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling and baking.
• Roll or scoop the dough into balls, 1.5 Tablespoons of dough each. I recommend a medium cookie scoop. Place 3 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 12-13 minutes or until the edges appear set. (The centers will be quite soft, but will set up as the cookies cool.)
• Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar until soft and creamy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in egg and vanilla.
• Add the flour mixture, and mix on low speed until combined. Divide the dough in half, and wrap each in plastic wrap; chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares using a cookie cutter. Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheets, and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Gather any scraps, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes before rerolling and cutting into squares. Bake until edges just begin to brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
• To make the white chocolate ganache, bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, and add 9 ounces white chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes, covered. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, and stir until completely smooth. Place in the refrigerator, and chill until thick enough to spread, about 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes. Use an offset spatula to spread ganache on half the cookies; top with remaining cookies.
• Melt remaining 3 ounces white chocolate in a small heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Make a small cone out of parchment paper, or fit a small pastry bag with a coupler and #2 Ateco tip. Fill, and decorate as desired.