Peanut Butter and Mocha Checkerboards

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These slice-and-bake checkerboard cookies are deceptively simple to make. Just be sure to chill dough at least as long as indicated in the recipe!

Peanut Butter and Mocha Checkerboards
Photo: Kritsada Panichgul
Prep Time:
30 mins
Chill Time:
1 hrs
Freeze Time:
1 hrs 30 mins
Bake Time:
8 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 8 mins
Yield:
48 cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoon shortening

  • 2 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

  • cup sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 2 tablespoon freshly brewed strong coffee, cooled

  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 ounce semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten

  • 2 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

  1. In a large bowl combine butter, shortening, and peanut butter. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add sugar. Beat until mixture is combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the one egg, the coffee, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt until combined. Gradually beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Stir 2 ounces melted chocolate into one dough portion. Cover and chill both dough portions about 1 hour or until easy to handle.

  2. Place each dough portion between two sheets of waxed paper. Roll each portion into a 5-inch square. Remove top layers of waxed paper. Brush the top of the chocolate dough with beaten egg white. Carefully invert peanut butter dough on top of the chocolate dough. Remove waxed paper. Trim edges to make a 4-1/2-inch square. Wrap dough in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Cover and freeze about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

  3. Cut dough square into six 4-1/2x3/4-inch strips. Working carefully, but quickly, lay one strip, cut side down, on a work surface and brush with egg white. Top with another strip, cut side down, so that the opposite colors/flavors meet; transfer the stack to a baking sheet or tray. Repeat with the remaining strips to make three stacks total. Cover and freeze about 30 minutes or until dough is firm enough to slice.

  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut each stack crosswise into about 1/4-inch slices. Place slices 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm and cookies are set. Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely.

  6. In a small saucepan heat and stir 2 ounces chopped chocolate over low heat until chocolate is melted and smooth. Place melted chocolate in a resealable plastic bag. Snip a small hole in one corner of the bag. Squeeze the bag, piping bows or desired designs on cookie tops. Let stand until chocolate sets.

Tips

Layer 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.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

73 Calories
4g Fat
9g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Calories 73
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 80mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 1g
Iron 0.4mg 2%
Potassium 25mg 1%
Folate, total 12.1mcg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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