Channukah cookies...It's almost a miracle
It seemed like it to me when my daughter baked these cookies. She doesn't usually bake, appear in the kitchen or ask to many questions when I bake, so it was one of the best presents I could have asked for. I did too! That's what I asked for as my Channukah present. Having her get a snippet into my world of baking and 'The World of Chocolate' felt important to me. Yes she helps at the annual Show and that's big, yet this is different. There's something calming and curious about baking and definitely the rewards of smelling chocolate as it infuses the air in your kitchen that inspires energy. I wanted to share it before she goes to college. It was one of the best presents ever and the pride she felt, the joy I experienced, connected us through all the stuff that can get in the way. They came out very tasty too so I wanted to share the recipe she found online.

Chocolate Cookies with a minty layer
3/4 c butter 1 1/2 c packed brown sugar 2 T water 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 2 eggs 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour 1 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 36 chocolate mint wafer candies (we used peppermint patties cut into half or quarters)
1. In a large pan over low heat, cook butter, sugar, and water until tbutter is melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes to cool off slightly.
2. At high speed, beat in eggs, one at a time into chocolate mixture. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating until blended. Chill dough about 1 hr.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
4. Roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes. While cookies are baking, unwrap mints and divide into half. When cookies are brought out of the oven, put 1/2 mint on top of each cookie. Let the mint sit for up to 5 minutes until melted and then spread the mint on top of the cookie. Done!