COOKIE SHEET WITH RACK RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. For the cookies: Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly.  Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and whisk.  Combine the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and light, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla and melted chocolate and beat until well combined, about 30 seconds. With the mixer on low speed, beat in half of the flour mixture, then the buttermilk, then the remaining flour mixture until smooth. Mix in the pecans. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the tops of the cookies are puffed and the edges are set, 8 to 10 minutes. (Don’t overbake; you want the centers to stay fudgy.) Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then remove to a rack set over a separate parchment-lined baking sheet. For the glaze: Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and whisk in the milk, cocoa powder and vanilla until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and whisk vigorously until smooth. Spoon the glaze over the cookies, letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze set, about 1 hour. 

Steps:

• Thirty minutes or longer before baking, set an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
• Spread the almonds evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes, or until pale gold. Stir once or twice to ensure even toasting and avoid over-browning. Cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.
• Food processor method: In a food processor, process the almonds and sugar until fairly fine. Cut the butter into several pieces and add it with the motor running. Process until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and process until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and pulse in just until blended. Stand Mixer Method: Use a nut grater to grate the almonds powder fine and then whisk them into the flour mixture. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater, on medium speed, beat the sugar and butter until fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and beat for 30 seconds, or until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated.
• Scrape the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and use the outside of the plastic wrap to knead together the dough until it is completely even and soft enough to pipe smoothly.
• Scoop the dough into the pastry bag (or spoon some of the dough into the cookie press and cover the remaining dough). Pipe 7 rosettes or 14 stars about 13/4 inches in diameter onto the cookie sheet, no less than 1 inch apart.
• To get the best possible shape for the rosettes, use your fingers to smooth the ends of the rosettes after piping. For the stars, hold the bag in a vertical position (straight up and down) with the toothed edge of the tube just slightly above the cookie sheet. Squeeze the bag firmly without moving it until the shape is as wide as desired, just at the point when the lines in the dough are on the verge of curving. Stop squeezing the tube and push the tube down slightly. Lift the tube straight up and away. Decorate with the glacéed cherries set in the centers, and/or top with sugar sprinkles or dragées.
• Bake for 5 minutes. For even baking, rotate the cookie sheet halfway around. Continue baking for 5 to 7 minutes, or until pale gold.
• Set the cookie sheet on a wire rack and use a pancake turner to lift the cookies onto another wire rack. Cool completely.
• While each batch of cookies is baking, shape the dough for the next batch. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 month, or refrigerated or frozen for 6 months.