Christmas Cookie Coins

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 10 drops liquid green food coloring
• 4 ounces red nonpareils
• 4 ounces green nonpareils

Recipe

• 1 beat butter, baking soda, salt, sugar and eggs in a large bowl with a mixer on medium until creamy. on low speed, beat in 2 cups of flour until just blended.
• 2 remove 1 1/2 c dough to a medium bowl; stir in vanilla and cocoa until no streaks remain.
• 3 stir peppermint extract and remaining 1/2 cup flour into plain dough. add about 10 drops of food color. beat until no streaks remain. cover doughs and refrigerate 30 minutes, until firm.
• 4 roll chocolate dough into fat log. divide into quarters. working with 1 portion at a time (wrap and refrigerate rest) roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope. spread red nonpareils on a sheet of wax paper. roll rope into nonpareils to coat; wrap rope in foil. repeat with remaining chocolate dough, then the green dough and green nonpareils.
• 5 place ropes on a cookie sheet; refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice neatly.
• 6 heat oven to 350°f have ungreased baking sheets ready.
• 7 slice 1 rope at a time into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. place 1 inch apart and bake 8-10 minutes until done.
• 8 remove to wire racks to cool.