

After trying the cookies plain, I decided to try a mixture of:
1 tea sugar
1/8 tea pepper
1/8 tea chili powder
1/4 tea cinnamon
I mixed it up and brushed it on the cookies before baking. They were great!! I think on the side would be enough to spice it up but I didn't have the patience for that. They made a lot and the dough stayed well in the fridge. Would be a perfect recipe to keep on hand and throw in oven when guests arrived.
Joel said he expected a layered taste extravaganza and was disappointed by the bland taste of the Zebra cookie
Vanilla Dough
2 3/4 C (11 ounces/310 grams) cake flour
1 C plus 2 T (4 ounces/115 grams) powdered sugar
1/4 t salt
8 oz (2 sticks/225 grams) butter at room temperature
1 t vanilla extract
Chocolate Dough
2 1/4 C (9 ounces/255 grams) cake flour
1 C plus 2 T (4 ounces/115 grams) powdered sugar
1/2 C plus 1 T (2 ounces/55 grams) natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/4 t salt
8 oz (2 sticks/225 grams) butter at room temperature
1 t vanilla extract
2 C (about 15 ounces/430 grams) nonpareil sprinkles for decoration
For the Vanilla Dough:
Combine flour, sugar and salt and mix on lowest speed just to blend. Stop the mixer and place the butter on top of the flour mixture. Wrap a kitchen towel around the mixer bowl to prevent the flour from flying out of the bowl. Mix on the lowest speed just until it starts to appear lumpy. Stop the mixer and add the vanilla. Mix on the lowest speed just until the mixture is combined. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
For the Chocolate Dough:
Use the same instructions above, placing the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt in the bowl and mixing on the lowest speed to blend. Add the butter and proceed as above, then add the vanilla. Transfer the dough to a bowl and if too soft, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
To form into logs:
Divide the Vanilla Dough into thirds, with each piece weighing about 7 1/2 ounces (215 grams). Divide the Chocolate Dough the same way. You will work with one-third of each dough at a time.
On a piece of parchment or clean work surface, flatten one piece of Vanilla Dough into a 8" x 8" square. Repeat this with a piece of the Chocolate Dough. Place the chocolate square on top of the vanilla rectangle, then stack in a square baking pan with aluminum foil. Repeat till dough is gone. Chill.
Slice and Bake!!!
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Use a sharp knife to cut generous 1/4” slices and arrange 1/2" apart on baking sheets lined with parchment or a silpat.
Bake one sheet at a time just until they are no longer shiny on top and are lightly golden on the bottom, about 10 - 12 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
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