Appeale

Last night I finally checked out the Night Life event at the Cal Academy.  I had just been at the museum (during the day) a few weeks ago, and I was afraid that visiting again so soon might be too much – gladly I was wrong.  Night Life manages to completely change the already hip and up-to-date museum into a night club experience, and not the you’re-garunteed-to-get-a-drink-spilled-on-you kind of club.  Another big plus, no babies/strollers/kids allowed at the 21+ event.

Zebra photo courtesy of Neil Conway.

Earlier that day I had been thinking about the homemade oreos I made a while back.  Neil and I recently had a conversation about all things mint and chocolate – more specifically Girl Scout’s Thin Mints and the mint flavored Oreos that were super popular a few years back (around the same time the peanut butter creme Oreos came out).  Already having all ingredients on hand I figured why not give a mint cookie sandwich a shot.  I made pretty small sandwiches – 1 tsp size balls.  I feel like they ended  up a nice portion size, but if you want bigger cookie sandwiches go for it.

Chocolate Mint Cookie Sandwiches

Makes 20 to 25 sandwich cookies

Chocolate Cookie Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp coffee or espresso grounds
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

Mint Creme Ingredients
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups powder sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon mint extract
green food dye

Cookie Directions
Cream together room temp. butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Stop mixer, scrape, and continue to beat. Add egg while mixture is beating. Sift dry ingredients and whisk together and then add to wet mixture. Mix on low until just combined – it will be pretty thick.

On a parchment lined baking sheet place 1 tsp size balls – about 2 inches in-between. Flatten the dough only slightly with your hand and bake for 8-9 minutes at 375 F. Cool completely before assembling sandwiches.

Mint Creme Directions
Beat butter, vanilla, mint flavor, and shortening in a mixing bowl until well combined.  Start at a low speed and increase speed, while gradually beating in the sugar, one cup at a time. Add green food dye until desired tone is reached. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy. If your creme is looking too thick and not fluffy enough add 1/4 teaspoon of milk to lighten it up.

After the cookies are entirely cooled place 1-2 teaspoon drops of cream in the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Enjoy!