Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Twists

Yesterday I baked some Christmas cookies using a recipe I haven't made in several years: Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Twists. Little chocolate pretzel shaped cookies, dipped in a chocolate glaze and sprinkled with crushed peppermint. It doesn't get much more Christmassy than this. They are a little time consuming, but worth the work. I can also tell you from experience that they're really good for breakfast.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Twists
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla. Stir in flour, cocoa, and salt. Knead a level Tbsp of dough with hands until right consistency for molding. Roll into pencil-like strips about 9" long. Twist into pretzel shape and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake until set about 8-9 minutes. Let stand 1-2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet; cool. Dip tops of cookies into chocolate glaze. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Chocolate Glaze
Heat 2 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate and 2 Tbsp butter over low heat until melted. Remove from heat. Beat in 2 cups of powdered sugar and 3-4 Tbsp water until smooth and of desired consistency.