December is also a time of beginnings

When I first read this card, I had to ponder a bit.  December is the time of Advent, and so it is a beginning of a four week period of anticipation.  But, I also associate December with the end of the year, with darkness as winter settles in.  But it is also the beginning of winter when we celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21.  And the 21st marks the beginning of longer days.  At the same time, as the card states, "discoveries are just ahead."  Beginnings could mean many different things in December.  Maybe you welcomed a new family member this year, or maybe you started a new job, or you moved, or you got a new pet, or you entered retirement and this is a month of "firsts" for any number of reasons.  Are you looking at December as a period of "beginnings?"  What new discoveries await you this month?

For me, December is also the time to begin baking cookies.  So in the sense of beginnings, yesterday was the beginning of Christmas cookie baking.  Yesterday's batch, a vegan cookie first made two years ago for a special friend. It has become my favorite Christmas cookie to bake because it is moist, chewy, and delicious with a hint of peppermint.  Recipe below the photo.

I hope your December provides some happy "beginnings" for you and you have many happy discoveries ahead.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup dutch-process cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon peppermint candies, crushed (optional)

sugar coating

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

In a small bowl combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a medium bowl or stand up mixer stir together cocoa powder, sugar, applesauce, oil, extracts, and peppermint candies (if using) until well blended. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the granulated and powdered sugars in two separate bowls.

Remove chilled dough and roll into balls about one tablespoon each. Toss first in the granulated and then second in the powdered sugar, coating fully.

Bake for 12-13 minutes (cookies should be slightly underbaked). Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.