Finally caught up!! Day 10= Cookie recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Hugs
Ingredients

Cookies:

1 stick (unsalted) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 tablespoon shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon milk

Peppermint Butter Cream:
2 1/2 tablespoons softened butter
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup ground peppermint pillow candies

Chocolate Drizzle:
1/2 cup semisweet pieces
1 tablespoon shortening

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together. Melt chocolate pieces with shortening in a small microwavable bowl in microwave, or in a small saucepan over low heat; add to bowl mixture. Mix in vanilla and egg. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa. Gradually add to mixing bowl with milk, and mix until combined. Using a tablespoon, or small scoop, make balls from dough. Place balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving an inch surrounding each. Press center of ball with thumb. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until done. Remove and cool on a cooling rack.

Peppermint Butter Cream: Place softened butter in a mixing bowl and gradually add confectioners sugar with milk, then beat until smooth. Add a little more milk, if necessary. Fold in ground peppermint candies. When cookies are cool, place a dollop of Peppermint Butter Cream in the center of each depression.

Chocolate Drizzle: In a small microwavable bowl in the microwave, or small saucepan over low heat, melt remaining chocolate pieces with a tablespoon of shortening. To finish cookies, use a fork and dip into the melted chocolate, then drizzle across top of each cookie; let chocolate harden.