These cookies are definitely on the rich dark side of chocolate. I bought some specialty chocolate that was 70% cocoa and used it in this recipe, so these are very intense. This recipe has its good and its bad, however there is no mistaking the great chocolatey taste. I would say that these are as close as you are going to get to actual fudge in the form of a cookie.
The down side of these is that they only last for a few days. Also, since the batter is made with very little butter, it sets up very fast and gets hard to deal with near the end of the baking session. It actually turns into a hard fudge consistency. The recipe states to use a heaping teaspoon for the dough, yet the macadamias are left whole in the batter which makes that size difficult. Chopping the nuts into quarters would make things easier. The up side is that due to their richness, they go a long way. Also, they are less difficult to make than fudge. This recipe makes about 5 dz ( 1 1/2 inch) cookies.
As a side note, Easy Foodsmith has been kind enough to pass the "blog on Fire Award" to me. If you are wondering about this blog, let me fill you in on a typical dinner at her place: pom limeade, saffron chicken tikka, chickpea salad with pomegranate and twisted potato bread. Lastly, a slice of chocolate banana zebra cake for dessert! While you probably cannot eat there, you sure can find some great recipes to prepare and enjoy at your house. So stop in and visit Easy Foodsmith .
Chocolate Phantoms
adapted from Rose's Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
8 oz of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bars
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate bars, chopped
1 1/2 cups unsalted macadamia nuts
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs unsalted butter
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 tbs flour
1/2 cup sugar
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside. Prepare a double boiler with water and place over medium heat. Fill the top section with the chocolate bar pieces and the butter. Stir until both the butter and chocolate are melted and blended. Remove the bowl from the heat.
Fill another bowl with the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat for about 15 seconds until it is a creamy consistency. Slowly pour the melted chocolate into the batter and beat. Once all the ingredients are well blended, fold in the sifted ingredients. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto baking sheet measuring about 1 inch wide. Also, they should be and mounded as high as possible and placed about 1 1/2 inches apart. Place in oven and bake for 6 minutes. Rotate pans (top to bottom, front to back) and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes.
They will come out of the oven very soft and have to cool completely on the pans. Remove from pans and serve.
**LAST YEAR: Inside Out Burgers**