Atomic Tonic

There's nothing Easter about this recipe but that didn't stop Matilda and I from making a double batch this afternoon. [Edited to say that on second thought, these are Easter cookies afterall. Once they're sliced and baked, they look like slices of giant bunny poops.]

I love these cookies. I love them heavy on the cayenne.

(From Maida Heatter's Book of Great Chocolate Desserts)

1 1/2 cups sifted flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Generous pinch of finely ground black pepper
Generous pinch of cayenne
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Sift the flour, cocoa, salt, pepper, cayenne and cinnamon into a bowl. Set aside. In a mixer, cream the butter. Add the sugar and vanilla, mix thoroughly. Beat in the egg, then on low speed gradually add the sifted dry ingredients.
Lightly flour a board. Turn the dough out and shape the dough into a cylinder about 10 inches long and 2 inches in diameter.
Wrap the dough in wax paper and place in the freezer until firm.
Preheat oven to 375.
Cut the dough into slices 1/4 inch thick.
Place on cookie sheets, bake for 10 to 11 minutes.