ChoCo Cookie Sandwiches

Happy National Chocolate Day, Beautiful People! I propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will declare a Chocolate Day at least once a month! Really, as everybody knows, the healthiest food regimen should incorporate beans (protein) and greens (salad). Chocolate comes from cocoa beans (there!),and cocoa beans come from trees, so chocolate is plant-based, which counts as a salad.

 

I like profound statements when they are delicious! In the words of a poet:

A Declaration To Chocolate

Oh chocolate, my chocolate!
How I love you so!
White, dark, nutty or milk,
I just can’t say no!

Oh chocolate, my chocolate!
You’re so smooth, silky, and sweet!
Your chocolatey, cocoa scent,
Sweeps me off my feet!

Oh chocolate, my chocolate!
You’re so yum, yum, yum!
From chocolate chip cookies to chocolate cake,
It all goes straight to my bum!

Oh chocolate, my chocolate!
My number one treat!
You’re the best thing to exist,
There is nothing you can’t beat!

Poem by Jennifer WuChiu

The legendary food of gods, it was initially prepared only as a foamy drink, unsweetened and therefore called xocolatl, which in Aztec means “bitter water.” That’s where we got the name!

An Aztec woman is preparing it, pouring liquid from the height, to create foam. The Spanish conquistadores brought it to Europe where it was sweetened with honey. It was still the food of the aristocracy, if not the gods, surrounded by mystique of the dark and unknown, decadent, and even sinful.

I hope you are feeling some of the magical power of chocolate that makes it so irresistable! Stop salivating, and let’s bake!

These cookies are definitely healthy as they are made of whole wheat flour, with Smart Balance, and light brown sugar. I also add some liquid coffee made by diluting espresso ground coffee with hot water. The chocolate frosting will be introduced at the end.

You have to gently whisk Smart Balance with brown sugar and coffee until blended. You can taste it a couple of times (or more!), just to make sure it has blended well, of course!

Gradually introduce the delicious wet mix to flour, make soft dough and flatten it on a floured surface.

Cut circles by using a floured inverted cup, or cut any other shapes, if you are so inclined.

Crisscross cookies with a fork, place them on a misted with oil baking sheet at a little distance from each other. They don’t expand while baking, so you don’t have to worry. Just put your timer on 12 minutes and go watch some more Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or something. Cookies are ready when dry to the touch. You may need a couple more minutes.

Cool them on a rack and use chocolate frosting to make sandwiches. Happy Chocolate Day again!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup (8 oz) Smart Balance or any butter substitute of your choice
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon liquid coffee
• 2 tablespoons chocolate frosting

PROCEDURE

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Mist shallow baking sheet with oil.
• Cream butter and sugar with coffee until well blended.
• Add wet mix to flour, make soft dough.
• Roll dough about 1/3 inch (1 cm) thick, cut rounds with inverted floured cup, crisscross with fork.
• Bake for 12 – 15 minutes, cool on rack.
• Use frosting to make sandwiches.

Enjoy!