Chocolate Pepper Cookies

Pat shared this unusually good cookie recipe with us recently.  It is surprisingly good!

(makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies)

1 ½ cups unsalted butter

1 ¾ cups sugar

2 large eggs

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ tsp salt

1/3 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4-6 oz. Semi-sweet chocolate (optional, for decoration)

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs and beat until fluffy.  Sift together the dry ingredients.  Add to the butter mixture and beat until well mixed.  If dough seems too soft, add up to ¼ cup more flour.  Shape into a flattened round, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 

Preheat oven to 350º F and line cookie sheet with baking paper.  On a well floured board, roll out the dough until 1/8” thick.  Cut dough into shapes and set 1-2 inches apart on baking sheets.  Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. 

Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or just until crisp.  Do not allow to darken.  Cool on racks. 

Melt chocolate and drizzle over the cooled cookies in a haphazard fashion; allow to harden completely before serving.

Benjamin's (Almost) Famous Cheesecake

One of Benjamin's specialties, a fact which we all appreciate very much!

CRUST

1 cup flour

¼ cup sugar

½ cup butter or margarine

1 egg yolk

½ tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Combine flour and sugar.  Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.  Add beaten yolk and vanilla and stir well with fingers.  Using 1/3 of mixture, line bottom of an 8” spring-form pan (remove sides).  Bake until crust is golden brown, about 8 – 10 minutes.  Remove and reduce oven temperature to 375°F.  Butter sides of pan (Important!) and assemble pan.  Using balance of the mixture, line sides of pan.  Set aside.

FILLING

1 ½ lb cream cheese, at room temperature (750 g)

1 cup sugar

1 ½ Tbsp flour

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp vanilla

4 eggs

¼ whipping cream

In mixing bowl, cream cheese well.  Add sugar, flour, salt, vanilla and beat at medium speed until well blended.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Fold in cream.  Pour into crust and bake at 375°F until center is cooked.  Remove from oven and cool on rack.  Remove sides of pan and chill in fridge a few hours or overnight. 

Top with any of a variety of fruit or berry toppings, or enjoy as is.  Makes 12 – 16 moderate slices.