Chocolate Towers

Ingredients:,

For the cookies:
1 stick (1/4 pound) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the sour cream ganache:
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

1. To make the cookies: Place the butter and sugars in a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla. Beat to blend, then scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again.

2. Place the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; mix well and add to the butter mixture. Beat until everything is well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and mix again.

3. Form the dough into two 10-inch logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

5. Slice chilled logs of the dough in 1/4-inch thick slices and place 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

6. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cookies are just firm at the edges, 7 to 9 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets on the oven racks halfway through the baking time. Cool on the cookie sheets for 3 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough on cool cookie sheets.

7. To make the ganache: Place the chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl and place in microwave. Heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Gently stir in sour cream and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Place in a heavyweight zip-top bag.

8. To assemble the towers: Snip corner from bag. Pipe dollops of ganache on cooled cookies and stack 3 high. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Do not freeze.

Makes 2 dozen cookies