Checkerboard Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter - softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tsp vanilla
1/4 Tsp lemon extract
1/4 Tsp salt
2 3/4 cups flour - sifted
3 Tbsp cocoa
1 large egg
1 Tbsp water
Directions
Cream butter and sugar until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add vanilla, lemon extract, and salt.
Gradually stir in the flour.
Turn dough out onto work surface(it will be loose and crumbly).
Knead dough for 1 to 2 minutes.
Divide dough in half and sprinkle cocoa powder over 1 half.
Continue to knead until cocoa is fully incorporated.
Using a rolling pin, shape each half of dough between plastic wrap into a 7 by 7-inch, 1/2-inch-thick square.
With a sharp knife, slice each portion of dough into 9 (3/4-inch) strips; use a ruler to measure the precise 3/4-inch increments.
Whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water.
Cover work surface with plastic wrap.
Place 3 strips of dough on plastic, alternating white and chocolate.
Brush tops of strips and in between with egg wash then gently press together.
Form second and third layers by adhering alternate colors with egg wash and stacking to create the effect of a checkerboard.
Roll into a log,wrap log in plastic wrap.
Repeat process for second log, reversing color pattern.
Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes, or freeze for 15 minutes.
Slice each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350 deg. for 10 to 12 minutes .
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