Oreos Stuffed Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies & Cheers to a new beginning

The world is not coming to an end today nor in the near future! December 21 is here and finally all the rumors and speculations rife about the Mayan calendar and the world dying will come to a thumping end. The naysayers and the trouble mongers as well as the pessimist folks will be shown the boot as the day begins and ends like any other day. The only difference is the day will be shorter and the night longer as it is Winter Solstice. 

I read an article in the Indian Express FB page which talks about a chain mail going rounds - "From tomorrow till 2030 which is the golden age, our earth is going through a photon belt. This belt enables mother earth to absorb pure cosmic energy from the galactic sun ; this energy is not just light, but spiritual energy that has the potential of enabling people to ascend or eradicate lifetimes of karma & today 21.12.12 is suppose to be the most powerful of all, marking the beginning of this beautiful awakening ". 

What I feel is it doesn't matter whether you are a believer or a skeptic but it pays to shed the meaningless ponder and embark on a new beginning:) In the light of recent events like the horrendous massacre killing 26 innocent souls as well as the meaningless mutilation of soul in terms of the Delhi gang rape  it is only proper that we imbibe all the goodness and overcome our shortcomings. It is an opportunity to let go of all the darkness, wipe our slate clean and step in to light. What will set us apart is our willingness to ditch the fear, boot out negativity, ring in cheer, spread hope, share joy, and most importantly express love :)

Besides buzzing with positivism , I baked (and gorged) on some stuff seriously good stuff. Cookie heaven literally !

I am reeling under serious cookie love. And when I spotted this recipe yesterday , I knew that it was not coming to an end any soon :P The recipe hit all the right notes with me mentally ticking the following points:-

• Cookie (check)
• Sugary rush (check)
• Crinkled Cookie (check)
• Oreo stuffed (check)
• Cocoa in it(check)

I dreamed of baking them the whole night and couldn't wait for the morning to dawn :P

What's in it :- (Makes :12)

• All Purpose Flour - 250 grams {+ 20 to 30 grams if the dough is very sticky}
• Baking Powder- 1 tsp
• Baking Soda - 1/4 tsp
• Cocoa powder - 40 grams ( I used Hershey'sunsweetened cocoa powder}
• Salt - 1/2 tsp

• Oreo Biscuits - 12 ( I used oreo chocolate creme)

• Butter - 115 grams
• Sugar - 250 grams
• Buttermilk - 25 to 30 ml
• Vanilla Essence - 1tsp
• Red Food Colour - 1 tbsp
• Eggs - 2

Powdered Sugar/Confectioner's Sugar {for rolling the cookies)

Here's How :-

Preheat oven to 375 F/190 C. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place confectioners' sugar (for rolling the cookies) in a plate/bowl and set aside. Sift together(ingredients in blue) all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt.

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat the two eggs one at a time. Beat in buttermilk, vanilla and  the red food coloring. Add the flour/cocoa mix to the creamed butter and beat on low until just combined. The dough should be very soft and a little sticky. If it is very sticky then some more flour (as required) and stir again. 

Cover and chill in the freezer until the dough is very cold and easy to handle. I refrigerated the mix for 15 to 20 minutes.

Grease/Butter your fingers and scoop out a lemon sized piece of dough. Flatten the dough between the palms of your hands and place an oreo on the flattened dough and fold the dough around the cookie.  Much like our stuffed paratha ! Roll lightly between the palms of your hands to make the oreo stuffed dough a little more ball-shaped and roll in powdered sugar. 

Repeat until all the dough is used. Place dough balls on the baking sheet. These cookies will spread/expand , so don't over crowd the baking sheet.Bake until cookies are puffed and cracked on top about 15 minutes. 

Transfer to a wire rack to cool. enjoy with a glass of milk or as such.

Verdict :-

These daintily cracked and puffed up beauties brings out the child in you. The stuffed oreo highlights and pronounces the taste of the cookies even further. My kids and their friends pounced upon it . Mission success :D

Linking it to Priya's 60 days to christmas