Two Tone Mini Cookies

Makes about 10 dozen, 1 x ½ inch bite size cookies.                                                                 

These small tidbits are a lovely combination of a cookie bottom and a soft chocolaty top. They freeze very well and are convenient for large gatherings.

If you like, it is easy to make them in two stages. You can bake the bottom at any time and finish the top the following day.

The only time consuming part is cutting them. I make mine almost bite size. You can, of course, cut them to any size.   

 I must confess that they are more delicious made with butter.                    

INGREDIENTS:

DOUGH

  • ½ cup blanched almonds
  • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted margarine, at room temperature, cut into small pieces, plus ½ tablespoon for greasing the pan
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

CHOCOLATE TOPPING

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted margarine at room temperature, cut into small pieces
  • 7 ounces imported, high quality semi-sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
  • ½ generous cup sugar  
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (7ounces) walnuts, toasted, semi coarsely chopped 

PREPARATION:

TO MAKE THE DOUGH

  1. Grease a 13 X 9 inch baking pan with margarine.
  2. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, chop the almonds finely. Add the flour and sugar and pulse to combine. Add the margarine, eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. Pulse until dough clings to the blade but before it forms into a ball.
  4. Turn out the dough unto a lightly floured work surface, knead it with your hands and shape into a smooth, flat rectangle.
  5. Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper to about 11 x 15 inches. The dough will spread more easily if you occasionally turn it over, lift the top wax paper and flour the dough lightly.
  6. Remove top sheet of wax paper. Roll dough loosely over rolling pin and unfold over the baking pan.
  7. Place the dough in the baking pan and press evenly with your hands to cover the bottom and extending to 1/8 inch of the sides (dough is malleable enough to fix the cracks). Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer.  
  8. Preheat oven to 350F.
  9. Bake the dough in the center oven for about 25 minutes. The edges will be a little golden and pulling away from the sides. Place on a wire rack to cool. This can be done a day ahead.

TO MAKE THE TOPPING

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Melt the margarine, chocolate and sugar in a double boiler until smooth. Remove the top and whisk in one egg at a time, vanilla extract and flour until well combined. With a rubber spatula, fold in the walnuts.
  3. Spread chocolate evenly over cooled cookie crust, not touching the edges and bake, for about 15 minutes, or until top feels slightly set to the touch.  Cool on a wire rack.
  4. To cut the cookies to the size of your choice, flip the rectangle unto a large cookie sheet and than again unto a cutting board. The chocolate will be on top. 

NOTE:

I freeze the cookies in a tight fitting container with wax paper between the layers.