The Connecticut Clay Artists

Steps

1. Trace an oak leaf onto a large, flexible plastic lid, (i.e., coffee can lid) and cut out stencil silhouette.
2. Heat oven to 400°. Sift 1/3 cup plus one tbsp flour with cocoa; set aside.
3. In bowl of electric mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in egg whites, one at a time.
4. Transfer half the batter (2/3 cup) to medium bowl. Fold in flour-and-cocoa mixture until well combined, and set aside.
5. Fold remaining flour into remaining batter until well combined
6. Place Silpat baking mat on top of a baking sheet and place stencil on mat. Using offset spatula spread a thin layer of white batter over stencil. Gently remove stencil. Repeat, making more leaves, spacing evenly.
7. Transfer 1/4 cup chocolate batter into a pastry bag and pipe chocolate veins onto white leaves. Repeat as necessary to make more cookies
8. Bake until golden around edges, about 4 minutes. Using spatula, drape leaves over a rolling pin to cool.