3 1/4 -3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 c Sugar
1/3 c Unsweetened coca powder
2 pk Rapid rise yeast
3/4 ts Salt
2/3 c Milk
1/4 c Water
1/4 c Butter/margarine
1 Egg
1 tb Pure vanilla extract
1/3 c Milk chocolate or peanut butter morsels
Decorations (optional) are Jelly beans, icing
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, cocoa powder, undissolved
yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and butter until very warm (120-130
degrees). Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium
speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg, vanilla
and 1/2 cup flour, beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl
occasionally. With spoon, stir in enough additional flour to make soft
dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about
4-6 minutes. Cover, let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.
Divide dough in half. For body, knead chocolate morsels into 1 half, form into
ball. Place on bottom end of large greased baking sheet; flatten to
make 5-inch round. For head, remove 1/3 of remaining half, form into
ball. Place on large baking sheet above body, flatten slightly, pinching
to attach. For nose, pinch off 1/2 inch ball from remaining dough;
place on center of head. Divide remaining dough into 4 equal portions,
roll each to form 6-inch rope.
For arms, arrange 2 ropes across body;
attach by tucking one end of each under body. Shape remaining ropes
into ears; arrange above head. Attach by tucking one end of each
under head. Cover, let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until done, covering aluminum
foil after 20 minutes to prevent excess browning.
Remove from sheet; cool on wire rack. Decorate as desired.
