posted by mamaSue 08-08-100 2:29 PM
Girl Scout Thin Mints
Martha Stewart
8 tablespoons (1stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Confectioners' sugar, for rolling dusting
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 to 3 drops peppermint oil , or 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until completely smooth, about 3 minutes. Add egg, and continue mixing until well combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and flour.
Add flour mixture to batter; mix until combined, scraping down sides of bowl once. Divide dough in half; wrap each half in plastic. Flatten each ball into a disk; chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
Heat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with Silpat baking mats or parchment paper. Set prepared pans aside.
Lightly sprinkle a clean work surface with confectioners’ sugar. Roll out dough to an 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, spaced 1/2 inch apart. Chill any trimmings, and roll out again.
Bake the cookies until you can smell chocolate, about 12 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to a wire rack to cool.
Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Chop chocolate very finely, and add to hot cream. Stir with a rubber spatula until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Add peppermint oil. Remove from heat; let ganache cool slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
Transfer ganache to a resealable plastic bag; seal, and cut off one corner at an angle. Pipe about 1 teaspoon onto the center of half of the wafers. Top with the remaining wafers. Chill the assembled cookies until firm, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.