Happy Solstice!

Happy Solstice friends! Well, the day is almost over but hurray all the same.Winter is finally here! And though the clouds obscured my view of last night's eclipse, I am ready to embrace the cold and snow. Back at home it's rainy and gusty, and here at Granny's the clouds are thick, the wind is brisk and the weatherman says maybe, just maybe, we'll have a white Christmas!

To welcome old man winter properly, a little holiday baking was in order. And what would be better on this first cloudy day of winter than ooey, gooey, chewy chocolate cookies? We used this recipe, courtesy of Miss Martha herself. These cookies are quickly becoming a Christmastime staple in our house!

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour


3/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder


1 teaspoon baking soda


1/2 teaspoon salt


1 1/4 cups (2 sticks plus 4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature


2 cups sugar, plus more for dipping


2 large eggs


2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, 2 cups sugar, and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients, and combine with mixer on low speed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and chill until dough is firm, about 1 hour.


3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into balls. Dip top of each ball into sugar. Place on prepared baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until set, about 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Pour a glass of milk, sit in front of the fire and enjoy. Don't forget to save a couple for Santa!