Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

What an amazing weekend - seems to be a constant theme here lately, but I'm loving it.  This weekend was BP's birthday, and I wanted it to be a great one.  He deserves a great celebration - he is truly the most caring and loving man I have ever met.  I had an idea of what I wanted to get him - and of course, the cake had to be amazing.  Enter the best cake ever. For the record - I didn't make this, I ordered it from a bakery.  I didn't have enough time with work and baking for BP's friends Christmas party that we were going to, so I happily ordered away. 

Yes - the light sabers light up

BP is a lover of Star Wars, and I was more than happy to get him this cake and a couple Star Wars gift items as well.  The look on his face was priceless.  And us both being nerds, we played with the figures all weekend long - I hummed the Imperial Death March every time I made the light sabers light up.  We also went to a Christmas party and it was such a great night, lots of stories and great laughs.  And we got some great pictures of the two of us. 

Looking good :) 

After many laughs and hearing some great stories about BP, we called it a night.  BP has amazing friends, and I can't wait to get to know them more.  The weekend came to an end and I went home and got to baking.  This is a short work work week for me since I will be going back to MA for Christmas.  I haven't been back since I moved so it's a little overdue, especially since I didn't get back for Thanksgiving.  So why not bake for my coworkers one last time before the holiday?  I had Andee's Peppermint Baking Chips in my cabinet, waiting to be used.  And honestly, a sugar cookie with peppermint chips rolled up with a chocolate sugar cookie?! Sounds phenomenal!!

Yum!

And yes, they are very tasty.  The best part is - you can freeze the dough once it's all rolled up.  Great for those last minute needs for a gift or unexpected visitors.  These were a huge hit with all my coworkers.  Tons of compliments on these bad boys. 

Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

makes about 3-4 dozen cookies

 

Sugar cookie:

 

3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp milk

Powdered sugar for rolling out the dough

 

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.  In a bowl of an electric mixer, place butter and sugar and beat until light in color, about 2 minutes.  Add egg and milk and beat to combine.  Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl.  Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. 

 

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

1 tsp peppermint extract

1/2 cup peppermint candy - crushed candy canes, peppermint baking chips, etc

 

Let two halves of dough sit out for 5 minutes.  Take one dough and add chocolate and vanilla and incorporate with hands.  Wrap back up in plastic wrap.  With the other half of dough add egg yolk, peppermint extract and peppermint candy and incorporate with hands.  Wrap back up in plastic wrap and set both doughs back in the fridge for 5 minutes. 

 

Dust counter top with powdered sugar and roll out each half of dough to 1/4" thick.  Place peppermint dough on top of chocolate dough and press edges together.  Roll the dough into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.  Place in fridge for 2 hours (or freeze for up to 1 month).

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.  Let dough sit out for a couple minutes.  Slice dough into 1/2" slices.  Place cookies 1" apart on prepared cookie sheets and bake, 12-13 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.  Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to wire racks to cool completely.