posted by pwhayes 05-15-99 7:35 PM
Chocolate-Cherry Parson's Hats
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
30 maraschino cherries, or 1/2 cup cherry preserves
1 1/2 ounces white baking bar
1 teaspoon shortening
In a mixing bowl beat butter or margarine at medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder; beat till combined.
Beat in egg and almond extract. Beat in as much of flour as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.
Cover and chill for 3 hours, or till dough is easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, cut dough into rounds. Place a maraschino cherry or 1 teaspoon of cherry preserves onto center of each round.
To form each tricornered hat, lift up 3 edges of each dough round. Fold edges toward, but not over, filling. Then pinch 3 outer points together.
Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or till edges are firm. Remove cookies and cool on a rack.
In a small, heavy saucepan, melt baking bar and shortening over low heat; drizzle over cookies
Yield: about 30 cookies