Two-tone “Chessboard” Cookies: Delicious, Easy, and Stress-Free.
Here’s the perfect recipe for those who love sweets but don’t want complications. These delightful two-tone cookies, resembling a chessboard, are of a stunning simplicity: no molds or special equipment needed, just your hands and a few ingredients.
I alternated light dough balls with dark cocoa ones to create a super cute and delicious “chessboard” effect. A touch of melted chocolate and a almond or pine nuts makes them elegant and ready for any occasion.
Perfect for an afternoon snack, after dinner, or a homemade gift. Come with me and let’s start baking right away.
Happy baking, Giusi.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Cooking time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 27 Pieces
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients for Two-tone Chessboard Cookies
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (+ 3 tbsp for the final phase)
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
Steps for Two-tone Cookies
In a bowl, mix the egg with water, oil, and lemon zest. Add the sugar and mix well.
Gradually incorporate flour and baking powder sifted until you obtain an almost complete dough.At this point, divide the dough into two equal parts.
In the first part, add a bit more flour (about 3 tbsp, or until the dough is soft and workable).
In the second part, add the 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Tip: Always work the white dough first to avoid staining your hands with cocoa before handling the light one.The cocoa dough will be slightly firmer: this is normal.
Form all the balls (about 0.7 oz each).
Place the cookies on a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating your chessboard: alternate the colors (light/dark) and position them slightly apart, as they will expand during baking.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely.In the meantime, melt the chocolate (in the microwave or over a bain-marie).
Using a teaspoon, place some melted chocolate only on the light cookies and immediately decorate with the nuts you prefer (almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts).
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