CHOCOLATE BLACK-PEPPER ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt pepper, espresso, and cinnamon; Set the flour mixture aside.
• In the bowl of a electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla; beat to combine. Add the reserved flour mixture, beating on low speed, until combined.
• Have ready a large piece of parchment paper. Turn out the dough onto parchment, and roll into a 2-inch diameter log. Roll log in the parchment. Transfer log to the refrigerator, and chill dough at least 1 hour overnight.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the log from refrigerator, and remove the parchment. Pour the sanding sugar onto a baking pan, and roll the log in the sugar, gently pressing down to adhere sugar to dough. Transfer the log to a cutting board, and slice it into 1/4 inch-thick rounds. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Sprinkle each cookie with some freshly ground black pepper.
• Bake the cookies until there is slight resistance when you light touch them in the centers, about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Bake remaining dough. Store cookies in airtight container up to 2 days.