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Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies

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 Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies1

Some of my favorite Christmas memories are sitting around our dining room table decorating cookies with my mom and sisters.  I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Christmas cookies.  Even if they don’t even taste that good, they bring back such happy memories.  Luckily for us, these cookies not only look adorable, but are delicious as well.  The combination of peppermint and cocoa is certainly not a new concept at Christmas time, but making the cookies red velvet gives them a fun, festive flare.  I made these cookies for the Food Blogger Cookie Swap and MKEfoodies Holiday Bakesale.  Both events support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, so I was excited and honored to be a small part of their efforts.

Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies2

I have to say I was really surprised when I started to feel a little emotional thinking about what to make.  My first nursing job was on a pediatric oncology floor, and I can honestly say that walking with children and families on their cancer journey is by far the hardest thing I have ever done.  I immediately thought back to my time on that unit and the families who really made an impact on me.  There was one family in particular who I became very close with, and even though I always declined, they would buy me dinner every time I worked night shift.  It was usually Chinese food, so I started with that as my inspiration.  I love the symbolism in Chinese cooking and learned that the color red signifies health, joy and good wishes.  I can’t think of a better wish for these children, families and healthcare providers, so while the red cookies are fun for Christmas, they mean so much more.  If you’re interested in contributing to Cookies for Kids, you can visit their website here. 

Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies

Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies
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Ingredients
  1. 1 - 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
  2. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  3. 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  4. 1/4 tsp. salt
  5. 1/3 cup canola oil
  6. 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  7. 1/3 cup agave nectar
  8. 1 large egg
  9. 1 tbsp. red food coloring
  10. 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  11. Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer, combine oil, brown sugar, agave and egg until creamy. Mix in red food coloring and vanilla. Slowly add flour mixture until combined.
  4. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, rolling with your hands and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are set.
  5. Remove from oven and place 1 Hershey's Kiss on each cookie and let rest 1 minute. To create the thumbprint shape, gently tap the cookie sheet on the counter. Enjoy!
Adapted from Yummy Healthy Easy
Adapted from Yummy Healthy Easy
Diet Deep Dish http://dietdeepdish.com/
 Red Velvet Peppermint Cookies3

 If you’re planning on shipping your cookies, these packaging tips are super helpful.  There’s something so fun about going to the post office at Christmas time, knowing that you’re going to make some lucky people very happy in a few days :)  Happy Baking!

Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

Fashion Friday - Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

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Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

These red velvet soft pretzels are rich and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness - what a great way to start the weekend!

Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

When I started Diet Deep Dish a few short months ago, I wanted to show that healthy, creative, delicious food is not just a California or New York thing.  I love living in the Midwest (maybe not this winter, but still…) and I want to highlight all the amazing food it has to offer.

Through Midwest Bloggers I’ve discovered a whole world of creative fashion bloggers who have the same goal with style, showing that Midwest style is chic and unique.  This inspired me to partner with some of my favorites for a fun, new segment called Fashion Fridays, where I will feature a fashion blogger and create a recipe inspired by the style.

varsity6

I’m starting with Johanna of 101 Things I Love.  I love that her style feels so posh, but still very wearable in everyday life.  And yes, I may be a little biased since she’s a Chicago girl :)  I was inspired by this Varsity Blues look to upgrade a typical game day food.  These soft pretzels still have a bread-like consistency, but are upgraded to dessert status with their light chocolate flavor and cream cheese frosting!

Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

For the dough, I used a combination of whole wheat pastry flour and coconut flour.  I like coconut flour, because it is naturally sweet and moist, perfect for a sweet soft pretzel.  If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, I HIGHLY recommend using it to make the dough.  I kneaded the first batch by hand, and the second time with the mixer was so much easier.

Red Velvet Soft Pretzel  Red Velvet Soft Pretzel

Red Velvet Soft Pretzel  Red Velvet Soft Pretzel

 

Recipe: Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

Summary: These red velvet soft pretzels are rich and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness!

Adapted from The Law Student’s Wife

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups hot water
  • 3 tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) rapid rise yeast
  • 10 drops red food coloring, divided
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • 3 tbsp. liquid egg whites (or 2 egg whites)
  • 2 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp. white chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

  1. Fill a cup with hot water and mix in agave nectar and yeast. Set aside to become foamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine whole wheat pastry flour, cocoa powder and salt.
  3. Drop 5 red food coloring drops into the yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, mix the yeast mixture and coconut oil into the dry ingredients. Once the dough is wet and tacky, slowly start mixing in the coconut flour ¼ cup at a time, until combined. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook when mixing in the coconut flour. Knead with the mixer for 5 minutes (or by hand for 7 minutes). Knead in the white chocolate chips.
  4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough by hand into 12 balls. Taking the first ball, roll by hand into a ½-in by 14-in cord. Form into a pretzel shape (pictures above) and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 11 pretzels. Cover both baking sheets with a dish towel, and allow the pretzels to rise for 1 hour.
  5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Stir together the liquid egg whites and remaining 5 drops of red food coloring. Brush each pretzel with egg mixture and bake for 10 minutes.
  6. To prepare the glaze, combine the cream cheese and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir and heat again for 10 seconds. Stir in the almond milk, adding more milk if needed until a glaze forms. Remove the pretzels from the oven and drizzle glaze over each one. Enjoy!

Preparation time: 1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

Red Velvet Soft Pretzels

For more fashion inspiration, follow Johanna on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Are you a fashion blogger?  If you’d like your blog featured on Diet Deep Dish, send me a message at [email protected].  Looking forward to working with you!

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