Chocolate Cookie Pretzels

 Ingredients

    2/3 cup butter, softened
    1 cup sugar
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    2 eggs
    2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions

     Heat oven to 350°F.

     Beat butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl unilt fluffy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

     Divide dough into 24 pieces. On lightly floured surface, roll each piece with hands into pencil-like strip, about 12-inches long. Place strip on ungreased cookie sheet. Twist into pretzel shape by crossing left side of strip to middle, forming loop. Fold right side up and over first loop. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

     Bake 8 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Here's how you form the pretzels:

From whence it came:  I found this recipe, many years ago, in the Hershey's Make It Chocolate cookbook.  One day I decided to give it a try, and it has been a family favorite ever since.  Sometimes I sprinkle them with powdered sugar, but usually we just gobble them down plain.  And when I say gobble, I mean gobble!

Why it's blogable:  My kids love love love these cookies.  Right this very second my teen son is begging me to make these for him.  And when my teen son begs, I tend to listen.  He's a good boy.  A really really good boy.  He makes me happy, and I want to make him happy right back.  So I'm gonna bake him up a batch of these cookies and sit back and enjoy the happiness.  Oh, and in case you're wondering about The Spy Who Loves Me, he is a humongous fan of these cookies.  They are one of his all time favorites, too.

Click here to get the printable:
Chocolate Cookie Pretzels

Hope you enjoy stirring it up!