Craving chocolate? This recipe’s got your back.
These cookies have all that rich chocolate fudge brownie wonderfulness in a cookie form. Why, you ask, should I spend the time to scoop out chocolate cookies when I can just whip up some brownie batter, throw it into a pan and bake it? Because when you bake individual cookies, each one of them gets that wonderful chewy edge that only the “side of the pan brownies” can boast. And these cookies have that chewy edge on ALL sides. Oh, and unlike many brownie recipes, they only have two tablespoons of butter in them, so might we even call them the healthier alternative? Probably not…well…maybe. But today is cookie day, not brownie day and this cookie offers you a beautiful compromise of both.
On the subject of chocolate….Use decent chocolate. Good chocolate makes good cookies. It’s not necessary to use Valrhona at $19/lb, but don’t use leftover Halloween candy for this recipe. Ghirardelli’s semi sweet bar or Trader Joe’s dark chocolate pounder bar are good choices. And while I have four or five different kinds of cocoa at any time in my pantry, Hershey’s cocoa works perfectly fine for this recipe.
Now, a few tips on melting. I used the microwave to do this job. It’s so much easier than a double boiler and there’s less dishes. However, don’t go crazy thinking that since you’re using this fast method to melt your chocolate, you’ll just set the timer for three minutes and get the job done all at once. If you’ve ever ended up with a thick gloppy mess of chocolate, it’s because the chocolate was overheated and seized on you or it came into contact with water. If you do ever end up with a gloppy mess…add a touch of shortening or oil and you might be able to bring it back.
I usually start with 30 seconds (if you have a very high wattage microwave, you might want to start with 15 seconds), then stir to distribute the heat. Continue with 10-15 second intervals, stirring after each and every one. You don’t need to continue heating until every chunk is melted. Stop when you still have some pieces of unmelted chocolate left and stir, using the residual heat from the rest of the melted chocolate to finish the job. This particular recipe only took me a total of one minute to melt, but it really will depend on the strength of your microwave and how small you chopped your chocolate.
When you’re finished melting (oh why don’t I have a photograph of that?), you will end up with the most luscious, shiny bowl of melted chocolate that will beg you to forgo the recipe and just dip a spoon, pretzel, cookie or graham cracker into it….Ignore the calling and proceed with the recipe.
I used instant espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor, but only a ½ tsp because I didn’t want the coffee flavor to be too strong and regardless of what people say, I can always taste the coffee. This is fine if I want a mocha flavor, but for this I really just wanted an intensely chocolate cookie. So, a ½ tsp worked great for me, but if you’re not like me, go ahead and use a full teaspoon or use more and go mocha. (Now I’m sitting here writing this and in my head that reads like a cheer….Go Mocha! Or……Go Mocha or Stay Home!)
I’ll “go mocha” another day. Today I’m staying home and making Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies.
Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies
_I used a scoop that measured about 2 tablespoons and that yielded about 19 cookies just over 3” in diameter._
Ingredients
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into ½” pieces
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave safe bowl on high for 30 seconds then stir and continue heating, stirring at 15 second intervals until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder baking powder, and salt.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and stir until thick and smooth.
- Fold in the melted chocolate.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon (mine was about 2 Tablespoons), scoop batter onto the prepared cookie sheet. Leave 2” between scoops as cookies will spread.
- Bake until slightly puffed and the tops begin to crack, about 13- 15 minutes. Judge by how they look, not by the time, as all ovens vary.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets.
Notes
Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Cookies are best on the day they are baked but still got great reviews on day 3.
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis, Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies
The Merchant Baker Copyright © 2014
Talala
Saturday 11th of November 2017
I made these with ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate chips and a generic brand Dutch chocolate powder, and increased the espresso powder to 2 tsp. They poofed up but sadly didn't crack at all. They are super delicate cookies that hold together well and taste fantastic!
Ramona
Saturday 11th of November 2017
Talala, I'm glad you liked them! The only thing I can think about them not cracking is possibly the temperature of your oven. Ovens can vary in temperature and if your oven runs hot, then the top of the cookie set before it had time to spread. Thankfully, the crack doesn't change the flavor. I bet the extra espresso was great!
Lynda Young
Tuesday 17th of May 2016
Been looking for a receipe like this! Trying it this weekend.
Ramona
Tuesday 17th of May 2016
It's a chocolate lover's cookie for sure! Let me know how they turn out for you!
Jennifer C
Thursday 30th of October 2014
These came out delicious!!!!!!!! Thanks again ---- another winner!!! :)
Ramona
Thursday 30th of October 2014
It's a super chocolaty treat...glad you guys enjoyed them!
MJ
Monday 27th of October 2014
OMG These look amazing! I can't wait to try them :)
Ramona
Monday 27th of October 2014
If you love chocolate, you will definitely love these. Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer C
Thursday 23rd of October 2014
Cannot wait to make these! :)
Ramona
Thursday 23rd of October 2014
I definitely think you'll like them....if I know you....and I do!