Easy Chocolate Sugar Cookie Recipe - Simple Baking

INGREDIENTS

1 package (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1‑1/2 teaspoons banana extract Yellow food coloring

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. Remove dough from wrapper; reserve 2/3 of dough. Place remaining 1/3 dough in medium bowl; let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes.
3. For flower centers, add cocoa to dough in bowl; beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Shape cocoa dough into 30 balls; place about 4 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
4. For flower petals, combine reserved dough, flour, banana extract and food coloring in medium bowl; beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended and evenly colored. Divide dough into 30 pieces. Shape each piece into 6 ovals; place in circle around center ball on cookie sheet, leaving about 1/4-inch space between petals and center ball. Pinch outside ends of yellow ovals to points for petal shapes. Repeat with remaining yellow pieces.
5. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until firm but not browned. Cool completely on cookie sheets.

Note "Dutch process" cocoa is unsweetened cocoa that has been treated with an alkali, giving it a darker appearance and a slightly less bitter flavor. This recipe appears in: Butter & Sugar