Chocolate & Vanilla Checkerboard Cookies

I have always wanted to make these cookies. They were one of my favorites when I was young. The recipe is quite simple.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter (2 sticks) soften

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened chocolate

Directions:

1. Melt the unsweetened chocolate on a bowl over a pot with hot water. Set aside to cool.

2. Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, brown sugar, and baking powder into the bowl, beat to combine.

3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Slowly adding the flour into the mixing bowl (1/4 cup at a time), mix until combined. If the dough gotten too hard to mix with electric mixing, mix with a wooden spoon instead.

4. Divided the dough into half. Set one dough aside and make a well in the other dough. Pour melted chocolate into the well and knead till combined.

5. Shape both doughs into a log about 8 inches long then wrap them in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm.

6. Cut each log into quarters with a long sharp knife. First, form the bottom half of the log with a piece of vanilla and a piece of chocolate. Alternate the colors to form the top half of the log. Make sure all the pieces stick together in a log, then wrap tightly and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

7. Cut the log into 1/4 inches thick slices. Place on the baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated 375 F oven or until the edges are firm and golden brown.