COOKIE COATED RED GRAPES

COOKIE COATED RED GRAPES

Whole red grapes wrapped in an allspice and Balsamic sugar dough. Baked, then dipped in chocolate! Extra special!

Makes 32 cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1 stick margarine

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. finely ground black pepper

2 T. Balsamic vinegar

2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 lb. red seedless grapes

1 c. chocolate chips.

In large bowl combine margarine and brown sugar. Using back side of spoon, mash and stir till creamy.

Add salt, baking soda, ground pepper, allspice and Balsamic vinegar, mixing well after each addition.

Now add flour all at once, stirring till a smooth cookie dough is achieved.

Grease your baking sheet.

For each cookie, take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and place it in the palm of your hand, flattening it.

Place a grape in the center, wrap dough smoothly around grape, then roll very gently in palms till smooth and round.

Bake on bottom rack of preheated 375 degree oven for 15-17 minutes, till tops of cookies just begin to split.

Transfer to cooling rack.

Melt chocolate chips in double boiler, being careful not to let any water spit up into the chocolate.

When cookies cool to room temperature, dip tops gently into melted chocolate and return to rack till chocolate is set.

Notes: You can serve these cookies at room temperature or chilled. At room temperature they’ll be soft; chilled they’ll be crisp. I prefer the chilled, to make the varying textures more distinct.

Spicy. Great with red wine!