Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Sandwiches

I have not tried this recipe. I'm posting this recipe for safe keeping. I found this recipe in Ladies Home Journal magazine. Can be made ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, in single layers separated by waxed paper, up to 2 days.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 48
• Yields: 48 sandwiches

Ingredients

• Cookies

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4  ounces  unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1  cup unsalted butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2  large eggs
• 1  cup  red and white  nonpareils (candy beads)

• Peppermint Marshmallow

• 1 (1 ounce) packet unflavored gelatin
• 1⁄3 cup cold water
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  ounces  peppermint candies, very finely crushed (1/3 cup)
•  red food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Cookies:
2. Heat oven to 325 and place rack in center. Line one baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt together chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let stand until cool, about 20 minutes. Stir in sugar and extract until combined well. Stir in eggs until combined well. Add flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Roll cookies into 3-4-inch balls. Dip tops in nonpareils and place, coated side up, 1-inch apart on prepared sheet. Bake until set but not firm to the touch, 10-13 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, prepare Peppermint Marshmallow. Transfer half to a large decorating bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip or coupler. Pipe mounds, about 1/2-inch high, on flat side of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, making sandwiches.
5. Peppermint Marshmallow:
6. In a large mixer bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush down sugar crystals on sides of pan. Place a candy thermometer into mixture. Boil (do not stir) until syrup registers 238 (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes. Pour into gelatin.
8. Using the whisk attachment, beat gelatin mixture on medium-low speed until slightly cooled, about 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and beat to soft peaks, about 12 minutes. Stir in candy until combined. Tint with food coloring (if using). Use immediately.