Chocolate Peppermint Bar Cookies
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted, softened butter
- 3/4 packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg (I use 2 at high altitude)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup coarsely crushed peppermint hard candies (I use a meat mallet on a large candycane)
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 375. Line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with foil, allowing a few inches of foil to hang over the edges. Coat with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, approx 3 minutes. Beat in egg(s). Reduce speed to low and mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips and candy. Spread dough evenly in pan and bake until puffed and beginning to pull away from sides of pan, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, then lifting with foil, transfer to a cutting board. Cut into bars and lift off foil with a spatula.
Enjoy!