The Shopping List: cocoa powder, unbleached flour, confectioners’ sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, 2 sticks butter, salt
In a small bowl,combine:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
Blend with a fork and set aside.
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to combine:
6 tbsp. (3 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. About 2 minutes.
Blend in:
1 large egg
½ tsp. vanilla extract
Add:
The dry ingredients about a 1/3 at a time until fully incorporated. Form the dough into a disc. Form the dough into a disc, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1-2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
When the dough is chilled, roll it to ¼” thickness between two sheets of wax paper. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place cut outs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, just until set. Let cool on the baking sheet about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate.
Decorating ideas:
http://annies-eats.com/2011/02/09/chocolate-sugar-cookies-and-how-to-marble-royal-icing/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34555769@N04/with/5535510065/
http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com
http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-sugar-cookies-heart.html