Chocolate chip cookies are a classic crowd-pleaser. You probably have your own favorite recipe. While classics can definitely be comfortable and gratifying, it is also fun to break convention from time to time and try something a little different. These rich dark chocolate cookies are simple to prepare and bake, but they have a few secret ingredients that take them from milk-and-cookie traditional to wine-and-dessert spectacular.
The cookies themselves are dense and chewy, and the combination of cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips will satisfy even the most desperate chocolate cravings. Ginger, cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper add a spicy kick that perfectly complements the sweet chocolate. A sprinkling of sea salt on the top adds the ideal finishing touch.
Spicy Dark Chocolate Cookies
Because the cookies are so dark, it can be difficult to determine whether the cookies are getting too brown on the bottoms. Use parchment paper or Silpats (nonstick baking mats) to line the baking sheets to prevent the bottoms of the cookies from getting too crispy.
Makes approximately 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup semisweet dark chocolate chips
- Pinch of coarsely ground sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats (nonstick baking mats) and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter or margarine and brown sugar, beating just until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until the egg is incorporated into the butter mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Add the dry ingredients, a little at a time, to the butter-and-sugar mixture, beating just until combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips by hand.
- Drop tablespoon-sized spoonfuls of the batter onto prepared baking sheets. Gently press the tines of a fork into the tops of the cookies to flatten them slightly. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the tops of the cookies. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Tasty Cookie Variations
To make these cookies even more delicious, press a few extra chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies before putting them in the oven. Adding white chocolate chips to the batter can provide a nice contrast with the dark cookie dough. Finally, for those adventurous souls who want to add an extra jolt on top of the spicy cayenne pepper, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant espresso coffee powder to the cookie dough.
Heather Schmitt - Heather Schmitt - A freelance writer and nature enthusiast, Heather Schmitt has a Masters degree in Environmental Studies...
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