Ingredients

• 1/2  cup butter, softened
• 3/4  cup granulated sugar
• 1/4  cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8  teaspoon salt
• 1/8  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1  egg
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1-1/3  cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
•   Chocolate Ganache

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugars, baking soda, salt, and pepper; beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Gradually beat or stir into egg mixture. Divide dough into two portions. Shape each portion of dough into a 1-1/2-inch-diameter log (about 8 inches long). Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes or until firm enough to slice.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Working with one roll at a time, unwrap chilled dough and cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Place slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

5. For each three-cookie stack, spread 1 teaspoon Chocolate Ganache evenly over the bottom side of one cookie. Top with a plain cookie, top side up. Spread with 1 teaspoon Chocolate Ganache. Top with another cookie, top side up. Pipe remaining Chocolate Ganache over tops of cookie stacks. Chill 30 minutes to set. Makes about 14 cookie stacks.

Chocolate Ganache: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 6 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate and 1/3 cup whipping cream. Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Let stand about 30 minutes or until mixture thickens enough to spread. Makes about 1 cup.

To Store: Layer plain cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before stacking and serving. Or store stacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.