Salty-Sweet Fall Cookies

Directions

1. 1.

   Whisk the flour and baking powder together in a medium bowl.

2. 2.

   Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth or about 2 1/2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

3. 3.

   Turn the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture approximately a quarter at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Reserve 1/4 cup of the chocolate-covered pretzels. Mix the remaining pretzels into the cookie dough until fully incorporated. The dough will form a ball around the paddle attachment and feel soft but not sticky.

4. 4.

   Wrap the dough ball in a piece of plastic wrap and press down to form a 1-inch thick disk. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes, or store for up to 7 days tightly wrapped.

5. 5.

   Preheat the oven to 375°F.

6. 6.

   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured flat work surface to about 1/4-inch thickness, using additional flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Use cookie cutters to create the shapes you want, and carefully transfer with a metal spatula to a nonstick baking sheet, placing the cookies about 3/4 inch apart.

7. 7.

   Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rack about 7 to 8 minutes, until puffy. Let the cookies rest for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

8. 8.

   Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl on 30 percent power for 30-second increments until melted.

9. 9.

   Using a honey dipper, drizzle the chocolate over the cookies and sprinkle with the reserved chocolate-covered pretzels.