Word Game And Checkers Cookies Recipes

CHECKERBOARD COOKIES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract, lemon extract, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, scraping down sides of bowl.
• Turn dough out onto a clean work surface; it will be loose and crumbly. Knead dough by pushing small amounts away from you with the heel of your hand for 1 to 2 minutes. Divide dough in half. Sprinkle cocoa powder over one of the halves. Knead until cocoa has been fully incorporated.
• Place each half of the kneaded dough between 2 sheets of plastic. Using a rolling pin, shape dough into two 7-inch squares, about 3/8 inch thick. Using a sharp knife and a ruler, slice each square into nine 3/4-inch-wide strips.
• Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water. Cover work surface with plastic wrap. Place 3 strips of dough on plastic, alternating white and chocolate strips. Brush tops and in between the strips with egg wash. Gently press strips together. Repeat, forming second and third layers, alternating colors to create a checkerboard effect. Wrap assembled log in plastic. Repeat process for second log, reversing color pattern. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or freeze 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Slice each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on baking sheet. Bake until done, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven, and let cookies cool 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

CHECKERBOARD COOKIES

Steps:

• In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix together the butter and sugar for 2 minutes.
• Add in the egg, the yolk, vanilla, baking powder, and salt and mix for 1 minute until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just combined.
• Divide the dough in half, removing half from the mixing bowl.
• Add in the cocoa powder to the remaining dough in the mixing bowl and mix until incorporated.
• Form each dough into a squared off log, 2- inches tall and 6- inches long. Make sure both are the same size.
• Place dough on a baking sheet and cover with cling wrap. Place dough into the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
• Using a sharp knife slice the dough into thirds, longwise. Then turn the dough one turn and cut into thirds again. You will have 9 strips. Repeat the process with the other dough. You will have 18 strips total.
• Lay 1 piece of vanilla dough, one piece of chocolate, and another piece of vanilla on a flat surface next to each other. Top the 3 strips with alternating colors. Repeat this once more, so you have a square log. Press the dough strips together tightly, keeping the square shape. Repeat this with the remaining dough.
• Refrigerate again for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with Reynolds Kitchens® Parchment Paper.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice into 1/4- inch pieces.
• Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

RED AND WHITE CHECKERBOARD COOKIES

Steps:

• Put the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Let cool slightly.
• Beat the butter, granulated sugar and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla, then mix in the melted white chocolate. Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour in two batches until just combined.
• Remove half of the dough; beat the orange zest and food coloring into the remaining dough. Wrap the plain dough and red dough separately in plastic wrap, flatten each into a rectangle and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Working on 2 separate sheets of floured parchment, roll out each piece of dough into a rough 5-by-10-inch rectangle (about 3/8 inch thick), then trim each piece to form a 4 1/2-by-9 1/2-inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut each rectangle lengthwise into nine 1/2-inch-wide strips. (If the dough gets too soft, refrigerate until firm.)
• Lay 3 alternating color strips together (white-red-white). Using a wet finger, moisten the sides and tops so the strips adhere without gaps, pressing to seal. Top with 3 strips in the opposite pattern (red-white-red). Top with 3 more strips, repeating the first pattern. Repeat to build another log, starting with a red-white-red pattern. Wrap the logs and chill for 2 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350˚ F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap the dough. Lightly brush the logs with water, then firmly press the sides in the sanding sugar. Using a sharp knife, trim the ends of the logs, then slice into 1/3- to 1/2-inch-thick cookies, about 24 per log.
• Arrange the cookies 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake 2 of the pans (refrigerate the other), switching positions halfway through, until the cookies are just set but not browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pans, then remove to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining baking sheet.