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Candy cane chocolate mandel bread

Time1 hour
YieldsMakes 3 to 4 dozen cookies
Candy cane chocolate mandel bread
(Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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We received more than 250 submissions, and more than 3,700 votes were cast in the Times’ fourth annual Holiday Cookie Bake-Off. Once readers helped us narrow down their favorites to the top 50, the Times’ team of taste testers narrowed it down to their 10 favorites. The candy cane chocolate mandel bread is a merging of holidays for one family, Hanukkah and Christmas honored together.

From the story: The top 10: Our favorite holiday cookies for 2013

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1

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and espresso powder, and set aside.

2

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat together canola oil, eggs and vanilla. Beat in the sugar, then gradually beat in the dry ingredients. Stir in 1 cup crushed candy cane pieces by hand.

3

Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours.

4

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Form the dough into 2 slightly flattened logs, each about 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. Place the logs a few inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet (the logs will spread as they bake) and bake for 25 minutes, rotating halfway through for even baking.

5

Remove and cool the logs for 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce the oven to 300 degrees. Cut the cooled logs crosswise into one-half-inch thick slices, and separate the slices about one-fourth inch, leaving the slices upright. Bake for an additional 10 minutes to set and begin to harden the cookies.

6

Cool completely, then drizzle with the melted white chocolate; you may not use all of the chocolate. Sprinkle over the remaining one-fourth to one-half cup crushed candy canes. Refrigerate the cookies to set the chocolate.

“My family just loves peppermint candy canes. Mandel bread is also a favorite around this time of year, and what better way to combine Christmas and Hanukkah and honor the diversity in our family.” - Gail Field