Estimated time:
45 min-1 hour to mix and shape; minimum of 1 hour of chilling; bake at 350 degrees F. for 12-14 min.

Number of servings:
yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 2/3 c. flour

pinch of salt

3/4 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. light brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg white, beaten slightly

Coarse Sugar to sprinkle on top

Directions:
Combine cocoa powder, salt, and flour in a small bowl.

Combine butter and brown sugar in a larger bowl; beat until fluffy.

Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add flour mixture (by thirds), blending completely with each addition.

Pack the dough into a pan or plastic container that is kind of shallow; cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill. 1 hour will work; overnight is probably even better.*

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Divide dough into 24 equal portions. On a flat surface, roll each portion into a 9 inch rope. (IF the dough sticks and gives you trouble, you can very Lightly dust the surface with sifted cocoa powder, as needed.)

Brush tops of pretzels with egg white, and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until just firm. Let cool slightly before transfering to a plate or cooling racks (handle w/care). Let them cool completely, and store in a covered container.

Other suggestions and comments:
These turned out a bit larger than I expected, 'cuz the picture looked so "cute." ;-)

The rolled-out rope will be kind of like a rather Fat pencil. The cookies don't swell/expand much in baking; what ya see is pretty much the shape you'll get.

* I think the dough would be more consistent in its handling if it is chilled several hours, or overnight. With the one hour chill, I had some dough that rolled out and handled like a charm, and some that wasn't nearly so cooperative. But the finished product still turned out nice.

This ease (or challenge) of handling, plus personal preference, will determine whether your pretzel just has a simple "folded arms" twist, or an extra li'l twist in the center.

For some reason I liked these cookies way better on the second and third days than on the first. (I don't think there will be a 4th day ;-)
They seemed to need a little time to mellow, and then that bit of extra time seemed worthwhile.

I was disappointed not to get around to making these at Christmas time...but then, Valentine's Day is sort of a Chocolate Celebration...and I can't really think of a day I don't like Chocolate ;-)