Chocolate Mint Thumbprints

Today is the third post for the new baking group, Club: Baked.  The Club: Baked bakers are making our way through Baked Explorations by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.  Jamie of Random Acts of Food is our hostess this week and I was super excited to see she had selected Chocolate Mint Thumbprint cookies.  Chocolate and mint are one of my favorite flavor combinations.

Thumbs up for the chocolate thumbprint cookies!  The cookie is like a cross between a chocolate shortbread cookie and a brownie.  They are filled with creamy, gooey white chocolate peppermint ganache and the coarse sugar on the outside gives them a great crunch.  Overall a really good solid cookie!

My only minor complaint is these cookies have to be stored (in a single layer) in the refrigerator because of the gooey centers.  I went ahead and made the full batch even and I ended up with 45 cookies.  I had to refrigerate my dough for an hour before I was able to roll out into balls.  I almost forgot to roll the balls in the coarse sugar so I had to do a little back tracking.  I'm so glad I didn't skip this step.  I really think the coarse sugar is a key element in these cookies...adding sparkle and a nice crunchy texture.  I was a little skeptical that there would be enough ganache for all the cookies, but there was just the right amount (and not a drop left over).  I am contemplating using these cookies as a mix in for my next batch of homemade ice cream because there's no possible way I will be able to pawn off and or eat them all in the next few days. 

Thanks for the great pick Jamie!  Head over to her site to get the recipe.  Next up for Club: Baked is Sunday Night Cake on August 15th.