ground chocolate cookie wafer base

How To Make ground chocolate cookie wafer base

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  1

  Chef’s Note: If you want to add a hint of peppermint, add two drops of pure peppermint oil to the batter when mixing.
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  2

  Combine all the dry ingredients into the clean bowl of a food processor, fitted with an S-blade, and pulse a few times until thoroughly combined.
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  Sprinkle the butter cubes over the surface of the dry ingredients, and do about 10 pulses, of one second each, or until the butter is thoroughly combined.
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  4

  Chef’s Note: In some recipes I freeze the butter, but not this one. After the butter is cut into small cubes, I usually return it to the refrigerator on a small tray. When I need it, I remove it from the fridge, and let it stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before adding to the dry ingredients.
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  Combine the milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl, and with the food processor running at low speed, slowly add the liquid.
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  Continue to process until the mixture is thoroughly combined. It should resemble a thick, but pliable dough.
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  Remove from food processer, and kneed a few times just to make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
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  Form the dough into a log, about 2 inches thick. The thickness does not have to be precise, just get close.
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  Tightly wrap the log in cling foil, or wax paper, and place in the refrigerator for two hours.
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  10

  Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (176c).
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  11

  Remove the log from the refrigerator, and slice into 1/4-inch (.6mm) medallions.
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  12

  Baking Tip: The cookies will expand during the baking process; so place them about 1 inch (2.5mm) apart.
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  Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes; rotating the baking sheet back-to-front half way through the process.
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  14

  Chef’s Note: While watching these cookies bake, they will puff up, and then collapse. I’ve noticed that they are usually done about a minute after they collapse.
• 15

  Remove from oven, and place on a cooling rack.
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  16

  Chef’s Note: The cookies will crisp as they cool. If they are still a bit moist, you need to cook them longer.
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  17

  Chef’s Tip: Since all ovens are not created equal, it might be a good idea to do a few test cookies until you get the temperature and timing right.
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  Take the crisp cookie medallions and place them into the clean bowl of a food processor fitted with an S-Blade.
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  Use 1-second pulses until the medallions are ground into an even crumb. About 6 to 8 pulses should do the trick.
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  20

  Chef’s Note: Don’t pulse too many times, or you’ll wind up with chocolate dust. Stop and check occasionally. As one of our teachers said: You can always add another pulse, but you can’t take one away.
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  21

  Place the chocolate crumbs in a tightly sealed Ziploc bag, and place in the freezer until your recipe calls for them. They should store nicely for 4 to 6 months.
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  22

  Chef's Note: In the near future, I will be posting some pie, and tart recipes that call for this kind of base… YUM !!!
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  23

  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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