Booze + Chocolate = Awesome

These are not the most beautiful Christmas cookies you’ll ever make but they sure taste good.  You can freeze the dough ahead of time and bake cookies later.  This recipe makes about 72 small cookies.

For this recipe you’ll need:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup Scotch or bourbon
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl stir together the walnuts, Scotch, eggs and sugar (but not the powdered sugar).  Set aside.

Melt the chocolate and butter together using a double boiler or the microwave.  In the microwave, heat the mixture 30 seconds and stir.  If needed, repeat heating and stirring at 30 second intervals until everything is melted and smooth.

Add the flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate to the Scotch mixture.  Stir until completely mixed.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

**If you want to freeze the dough and bake later, skip to the end of the recipe.**

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Now things will get a little messy.  Use a small (1 teaspoon) cookie scoop to create balls of dough.  Roll the dough between your hand to form smooth balls.  Roll the balls in powdered sugar and place on the baking sheet.  Leave at least an inch between cookies.

Bake for 8 minutes.  The outsides should be cooked and crackly but the insides will still be a little bit soft.

Let cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

If desired sprinkle with additional powdered sugar just before serving.

**Freezing Instructions**

Scoop the dough and roll into balls as instructed above.  Don’t roll in powdered sugar.  Place the balls on a cookie sheet close together but not touching.  Freeze for at least an hour then transfer to a sealed container or zippered bag.  Store in the freezer until ready to bake.

When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Do not defrost the dough.  Roll the frozen dough in powdered sugar as instructed above.  Bake as instructed.

Enjoy!