Thanks to Mardi at Eat, Live, Travel, Write for passing the Blogger Secret Ingredient (BSI) torch on to me! Check out her site for last week’s winner and secret ingredient.
So what exactly is Blogger Secret Ingredient?
• The host links back to all the other previous weekly hosts.
• Participants create a unique recipe using the BSI and e-mail the host their recipes.
• You do not need to have a food blog to participate, and you do not have to submit a photograph (though, it’s preferred so I can show everyone your creative creations).
• If you don’t have a blog, you can e-mail the host directly and it will be posted on the blog.
• The host reviews recipes Sunday evening of each week and picks a favorite.
• I will hand select the winner based on what looks the yummiest, and a prize will be rewarded!
I chose cocoa powder, one of my favorite ingredients!
Cocoa powder is made when chocolate liquor is pressed to remove three quarters of its cocoa butter. The remaining cocoa solids are processed to make a fine unsweetened cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is bitter but when baked with it adds a deep and intense chocolate flavor. I love adding cocoa powder to my favorite recipes to see what it tastes like in the chocolate variation. SourceI can’t wait to see what you come up with using cocoa powder! Email your recipes to Natalie@NataliesKillerCuisine.com before Sunday the 21st to be included in the roundup!
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
adapted from Joy of Baking
2 3/4 cup AP Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Butter
1 3/4 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1. Whisk together first four ingredients and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat until creamy and add the dry ingredients to the mixer.
3. Divide the dough into two portions and roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
4. Flour your work surface and your rolling pin, and roll cookies to 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutter.
5. Place on a parchment lined or prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes if using a medium sized cookie cutter. Bake 6-8 minutes for a small cookie, and a few minutes longer for a larger cookie.
6. Let cool for at least 2 minutes before placing on a rack.
7. Decorate with royal icing (recipe below).
Royal Icing
2 Eggs
2 tsp Lemon Juice
3 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
1. Use an electric mixer to whip all ingredients until smooth and silky.
2. Divide the royal icing in separate bowls and color with coloring gel (optional). Cover royal icing you are not using with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
3. Spread or pipe icing on, let icing set at least 2 hours.
