Chocolate Cookie Bites

Chocolate Cookie Bites Eggless is adapted from Southern Living, whose recipes I am finding quite interesting and quite reliable and works well as I recently have discovered. Though the final output was not the same as shown in the image provided in the magazine, it gave me a chance to create something that I was happy with, as well as the kids for whom it was made!.The interest in this recipe was out of desire to create an Oreo look, but since that did not work for me based on the original recipe, it led me to something different. Inspired by the recent cherry blooms on the neighbourhood trees(a picture of a which I am happy to share), I gave the chocolate cookies a decorative look and feel!.

My personal favourites are the weeping pink cherry blossoms and the Yoshino White Cherry trees in DC , and watching the extreme white blooms glisten in sunlight is a sight of pure joy! If I am lucky to make it to see the peak of cherry blossoms in DC next week, that would be great, if not, I will just have to make do with my own cherry blossom inspired chocolate cookie bites that are firm and yet soft, delicious and stays fresh for a week or so if stored in an airtight container. Bring the beauty of nature within the house and have interesting conversation with your family and friends over this chocolate cookie bites!

CHOCOLATE COOKIE BITES EGGLESS

Recipe Makes about 45-50 pieces of Chocolate Cookie Bites

Time to Cook : 25 min

Time to Prep : 30-60 min

Ingredients

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1 2/3 self raising unbleached flour(King Arthur brand) or
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder ( 1 tsp baking powder if using all purpose four)
3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp butter softened
4-5 tbsp water
parchment paper for lining the baking tray

Filling

1/2 cup shortening at room temperature
1/2 cup butter at room temperature or softened
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
food color(optional)

Method

Sieve cocoa, salt, flour together.

Beat sugar and butter for about 4-5 minutes, until extremely fluffy and white.

Combine the flour and butter mix.
Using 4-5 tbsp water, bind the flour and butter mix into a soft pliable dough

Divide the dough in 4 parts.

Roll the dough into a long cylindrical shape about 1 1/2 inch thick approx.
Cover the rolls in parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for 30 min.
Remove and slice the roll into about 1 inch thick cookies
Arrange the chocolate cookies on a parchment paper on a baking tray.
Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees or convection 375 degrees.
Lay the baking tray on mid higher level for 6 min.

Turn the baking tray front to back and insert at the lower level in the oven and bake for 6 min.

Remove from the oven and cool on the cooling rack for 5-7 min.

Decorating with filling

Beat shortening and butter for 5-6 min till fluffy.

Gradually add vanilla and sugar and 1-2 tbsp water to make icing consistency.
Using an icing star nozzle, make star/flower shapes on the cookies.

Store in an airtight container and enjoy a piece at a time over a week or so!!

Tips

Using an unbleached and self raising flour does give a great texture to the chocolate cookie bites.

One can variate the color of the flowers on the top using food color, sprinkles etc

Instinct Factor

If complete round shape is preferred, then roll a ball and press it flat. Then make thumbprint into the cookies to create a space for filling or decorations.

To give oreo look , make round balls and then flatten it a bit. Take two baked cookies and then spread the filling, on one and top it with another.

One can also pair two cookies and spread the filling in between – to create “Oreo” look and feel.

Feel Factor

White cherry flowers atop a bit sized chocolate cookie, in sync with nature and not too high on calories! The taste is heavy on the cocoa, it is firm to hold , but soft on bite, and the icing on top gives it a nice festive look! So even if this is for a regular school bake sale, it catches everyone’s attention because of the size and the decorations on top. So worth the effort, for the taste, looks and just pure fun! The secret in baking is the flour, and the beating of the butter in my opinion, and an happy to continue to explore more on the baking front. Chocolate Cookie Bites are perfect to start a conversation over tea/coffee, or just to satisfy that nagging need to eat something sweet coz you know it is good for the soul!

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