Chocolate Cut Outs

• 2½ cup all-purpose, unbleached flour
• ½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, cut into chunks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
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• 1. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder together. Set aside.
  2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla; beating until combined. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary.
  4. Beat in the melted chocolate.
  5. Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, beating on low after each addition. Beat just until the dough comes together.
  6. Pat into 2 discs, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Roll the dough on a surface lightly coated with a mixture of flour and cocoa to about a ¼” thick. Cut with a 2” round cookie cutter.
  9. Place the cut-outs on a prepared baking sheet and place in the freezer for 5-10 min. (This will prevent spreading.)
  10. Bake the cookies for about 9 minutes, or until done.
  11. Remove to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.