Chocolate Brownie Cookies

I was craving something rich and bad for me this weekend, but I wasn't willing to commit to the calories of a brownie a-la mode.  Instead, I made these brownie cookies, that really do taste like brownies.  I used different sized heart cookie cutters to make this a pre-valentines treat.  They are satisfying enough to have just one, but really, who wants to stop there?!


Chocolate Brownie Cookies 
Recipe: The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Whisk the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder together in a bowl and set aside.  Beat sugar and butter with  an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl.  Mix in vanilla.  Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.  Wrap in plastic and chill for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll out cookie dough on a floured counter (my cookies were about 1/4 inch thick).  Cut into desired shapes and bake on parchment-lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes, until edges are firm and centers are slightly soft and puffed. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.