Thursday, August 6, 2009

Chocolate Whoppers


Do you like chocolate? No, I mean do you really really really like chocolate? Do you like chocolate so rich that when you're eating it you feel like an M&M and that you might just start sweating chocolate?


Then these cookies are for you.

They're from one of my favorite cookbooks, and this is one of the very few recipes in my arsenal that I follow to the letter. I take that back. I have been known to add cruched Heath bar or English toffee and to use pecans and walnuts interchangeably. And put in more chocolate chips than listed. But other than that I follow it to a T. Promise! And since she's proud enough of a chef to post her recipes on the Internet (oh how I hope to be that cool if I ever actually become a chef!), I have no problem with sharing it with you here.

I baked these yesterday to celebrate my good friend Linda's birthday. And Linda, if you're reading this, I'm ashamed to tell you that you didn't get the whole recipe: Mike made me save a few for him. And he doesn't even LIKE chocolate.

That's how good these cookies are.

Per Sara Foster:
We offer these big, chewy super-chocolaty cookies at the Market daily—everyone loves them! Inspired by a similar cookie made at the SoHo Charcuterie back in the early eighties, these cookies keep well, freeze beautifully, and, since they're soft, ship well, too.

Makes about 1 dozen 2½ inch- to 3-inch cookies

6 ounces semisweet chocolate (preferably high-quality baking chocolate, such as Valrhona or Callebaut), chopped into large chunks
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped into large chunks
6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¾ cup sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips


1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets and set aside.

3. Melt together the semisweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate chunks, and butter in a double boiler over low heat until just melted, stirring occasionally. (Note: Do not overheat; remove from the heat as soon as chocolate has melted.) Stir to blend the chocolate and butter, and set aside.

4. Cream together the eggs, espresso powder, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Add the sugar and mix until thick and creamy.

5. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and stir to mix. Set aside.

6. Add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and blend until well combined. Add the flour mixture and stir just until the dry ingredients are moist.

7. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. (Note: The batter will be very moist—similar to the consistency of cake batter.)

8. Scoop the batter with a ¼-cup (2-ounce) ice cream scoop or by the heaping tablespoon and drop onto the prepared baking sheets about 3 inches apart. (Note: Bake right away, before the chocolate begins to cool and harden.)

9. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, turning the baking sheets once during the cooking time. The cookies will still be very gooey inside and soft, but do not overcook or the cooled cookies will be dry. Cool about 10 minutes on the baking sheets before gently removing the whoppers to a baking rack to cool completely.

Recipe courtesy of Foster's Market.

Photo courtesy of FamilyStyleFood.

7 comments:

Creative Classroom Core said...

I need something chocolatey right now - these will do the trick!

Anonymous said...

I love these kind of food it is more tasty and good for health........


___________________
Christena
Payday loans Today

L said...

I can officially confirm that these cookies are awesome! Who can resist a big ol' chocolate cookie? They're delicious. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My regards to the chef & the cookbook.

Rebecca said...

Those cookies look so good!

Thank you for the comment you left following my breakup, and for the phone call, and for all the encouragment! Much, much needed and appreciated!

I've been feeling sick to my stomach ever since the breakup, but today I'm feeling so much better! Things will get better, and I know there are bigger and better things out there for me!

Anonymous said...

Official Chocoholic Here: Great recipe, although my thighs can't thank you, my tummy does!!!!
:-)

Anonymous said...

The children like these kinds of chocolates good .........


___________________
christena
Online Marketing of your brand

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

These do sound rich and delicious. Why does chocolate have to be so tempting?

 

Made by Lena