Happy Holidays & Recipe

I did some baking yesterday and tried a new-to-me recipe for Chocolate Mint Cookies. This recipe does take a little time and effort, probably not for beginners :-) But I really like it so I thought I'd share here:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 TBLS water
1 (12oz) package semi sweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 1/4 baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Green chocolate mint wafers (Andes) About 1 pound (I used two boxes)

Directions:
Heat butter, sugar and water in a large heavy saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Add chocolate chips, stirring until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into a large mixer bowl and let stand about 10 minutes.

With mixer at medium speed, beat eggs in one at a time. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating just until blended. Refrigerate dough at least one hour.

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil. Roll tsp. of dough into balls, place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12 -13 minutes (I baked them about 9 minutes--my oven may be running a bit hot). Cookies will appear soft, don't overcook.

Remove from oven and immediately place a chocolate mint on each hot cookie. Let the mint soften, then swirl with back of the spoon to frost the top of each cookie. Transfer to wire rack (or wax paper) and let cool completely.

This seems to make about four-dozen cookies.

AND NOW I WANT TO WISH EACH OF YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL 2008!