Total Time: 27 minutes
What do you do when your feeling kind of down……sigh…..My wife went to the shore until Saturday, and even after 12 years, I just don’t like being away from her for too long. I know what your saying why didn’t I go, well with our two dogs its just not that easy, so I stay with them so she can spend some time in Ocean City at her mothers house.
When my girls are having a bad day at school I know cookies always seem to cheer them up, so I thought why not bake cookies! I’m really not a very experienced baker, most of my desserts have been by trial and error, living by the philosophy of,“if no one saw it, it never happened!” This always served me well in my restaurant days, I would just go in early to bake, and no one was ever around to see if something didn’t quite come out right. But that’s not how we do it in our community of friends here, if at first we don’t succeed we tell you why, and even show you pictures (gasp) and then move on from there.
Well the first cookie I am going to share with you is so simple that even I couldn’t screw it up, and this cookie is so sinfully delicious, that at one of the accounts I worked at as a Director (I only baked to have something to do), this cookie became known as my “Oh My God Cookie” because those were the words uttered when ever anyone ate one. This cookie is of course from the Queen of Chocolate Alice Medrich. Alice calls it her Bittersweet Chocolate Decadence Cookie, and let me tell you Decadent is truth in advertising! My second cookie came from having too much white chocolate on hand (my wife loves white chocolate), and feeling the need to make a white chocolate version of the same cookie. Well friends let me tell you, it’s not quite that easy. The cookie was delicious but didn’t hold up quite the same as the Original. Let’s start with the Bittersweet Version!
Now there are two things you will want to do that will change this cookie and not for the better. First of all, no matter how much you want to, do not add anymore flour to this mixture, you do not need it…….trust me!
Secondly, do not leave these cookies to bake too long, you want the inside to still be a little gooey, as long as the outside has set the inside should be fine, so do not go past the recommended time! After the cookie sits a while it sill set up. I also found that using all bittersweet chocolate doesn’t do the cookie justice, I use the absolute best chocolate I can find, and its always Semi sweet or Bitter sweet, but I use plain old toll house chips for the second addition, feel free to adjust this as you like. But all bittersweet won’t give it that OMG taste!Now for my second cookie……sigh……I keep telling you I’m not a trained baker, but I do love to bake! Well I knew just changing over white chocolate for dark chocolate wouldn’t be an equal trade off…..I knew that….but I figured well, maybe it would (this is typical guy behavior, we know something isn’t really right, but we do it anyway…sigh). Now what I did do, was to cut the sugar in half, White chocolate is sweeter, and I upped the flour by 1/3 cup……well that wasn’t quite enough. I should have used at least a half a cup, maybe even a little bit more. I also should have thrown it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to let it set up better, it started to spread before it went in the oven. But even with all that the cookie was almost, and I do say almost an OMG cookie. I used salted pistachio’s instead of walnuts, and the salt was perfect with the sweetness of the cookie, that was a good decision! So here is my All White Chocolate version!
Chocolate Decadence Cookies
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 8 oz bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 cups walnuts or pecans chopped
- 12 oz premium chocolate chips semi sweet or milk chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Place 8 ounces of chocolate with the butter in double boiler to melt until smooth, then set aside.
- Whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla till thoroughly blended. Set on double boiler and whisk, until lukewarm.
- Stir eggs into warm (not hot) chocolate mixture.
- Add flour mixture to chocolate, then add nuts and chocolate chips.
- Scoop rounded tablespoon of cookie mixture onto cookie sheet 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Bake until cookie looks dry on outside but is still gooey on inside, about 12-14 minutes
White Chocolate Decadence Cookie adapted From Alice Medrichs Bittersweet
Preheat oven to 350º
3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/8 tsp Salt
8 oz White Chocolate chopped
2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
2 Large Eggs
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/8 tsp Salt
8 oz White Chocolate chopped
2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
2 Large Eggs
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Vanilla Bean Scraped (optional)
1 1/2 cups Salted Pistachio’s chopped
6 oz premium chocolate chips, semi-sweet or bittersweet
1 1/2 cups Salted Pistachio’s chopped
6 oz premium chocolate chips, semi-sweet or bittersweet
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together.
Place 8 ounces of chocolate in double boiler to melt until smooth, then set aside.
Whisk eggs, sugar and vanilla till thoroughly blended. Set on double boiler until lukewarm.
Stir eggs into warm (not hot) chocolate.
Add flour mixture to chocolate, then add nuts and white chocolate chips.
Set mixture into freezer for 15 minutes to set up.
Scoop rounded tablespoon of cookie mixture onto cookie sheet 1 1/2 inches apart.
Bake until cookie looks dry on outside but is still gooey on inside, about 8-10 minutes
Scoop rounded tablespoon of cookie mixture onto cookie sheet 1 1/2 inches apart.
Bake until cookie looks dry on outside but is still gooey on inside, about 8-10 minutes
depending on your oven this cookie seemed to cook faster.
Now the cookies were delicious, but I wasn’t really in a cookie mood, although I will force myself to eat some tomorrow……I wanted something a little more substantial for dinner, and really didn’t want to work very hard to make it. It’s funny when I’m alone I eat as simply as possible, PB&J, Grilled Cheese, or a turkey dog will be my dinner of choice when my wife isn’t home…….and don’t tell anyone…..shhhhh….I have a couple boxes of kraft Mac and Cheese squirreled away in my pantry…..shhhhhh, its a secret, real chefs don’t eat that…..
But tonite I wanted something else, and since I was alone I could have it! I made Everything Bagel Egg Sandwiches. You know the kind where you fry the egg and its still runny so when you bite it you have egg yolk all over the plate and you can use your bagel to sop it up……yum……I even fried them in butter….sigh.
Had my favorite precooked bacon(thank you who ever came up with that), some cheese, toasted bagel and I was in heaven. I even had a big glass of orange juice (my wife thinks I’m crazy when I drink orange juice for lunch or dinner…..) Now I’m full, I still miss my wife, and I’m still a little sad, but tomorrow’s another day.
Thanks for listening!
Lala says
August 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm'if no one saw it, it never happened.' best. line. ever.
Marisa says
August 23, 2010 at 2:14 pmI usually much prefer dark chocolate over white chocolate, but those white chocolate ones look super!
Allie says
August 17, 2010 at 6:34 pmOMG. Gorgeous cookies!! Wowza, that chocolate decadence cookie looks just that. I want to eat, and thanks for sharing.
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
August 13, 2010 at 11:19 amDennis – your posts are massive and brimming with great recipes and wonderful photos. Coming here is beginning to feel like going to some sort of culinary Disneyland!!
I love the napoleons and BOTH those cookies! I would be saying "Oh my God" after every bite too, I think. Fantastic!!
Debbie says
August 13, 2010 at 12:23 amYou are so right, baking always makes me happy and cookies are always a success! Funny about eating simple when your alone, I do the same thing…tonight was gorgonzola grilled cheese, for one 🙂
Samantha @ The Savvy Soybean says
August 12, 2010 at 5:27 pmThese cookies look absolutely ridiculous (in a good way). I always end up baking when I'm bored or by myself… and then save some for whomever when they return!! Definitely bookmarking these recipes. Can't wait to try them.
Les rêves d'une boulangère (Brittany) says
August 11, 2010 at 2:13 pmGreat recipes there! And of course, a wonderful catchphrase…cookies can cheer anyone up 🙂
rebecca says
August 11, 2010 at 1:21 amDouble Yum!
Cassie says
August 10, 2010 at 4:16 pmThey both look just yummy!
Sara says
August 10, 2010 at 2:12 amI will adopt two of your ideas…1) baking cookies on a tough day and 2) drinking milk out of a wine glass.
Seems like such an obvious thing to do, yet I've never done it!
Laury@TheFitnessDish says
August 10, 2010 at 1:27 amHey Dennis!
Thank you so much for stopping by The Fitness Dish! I am LOVING your blog! So happy you came by so that i could find you!
I always find it so funny when amazing chefs say they are "not much of a baker"–you look like you did ok, lol…those cookies look amazing!!! Baking was always my specialty, it has been the way to my husbands heart, although I do not make him cookies as often as he'd like for the sake of his heart, lol. I am all about balance though, and it seemed like the perfect occasion to make a big batch! Cookies are so hard to pass up 😉
I am finding my love for cooking is growing stronger, although I do have a lot of learning to do still!
Have a great day!
Jennifer says
August 9, 2010 at 11:20 pmHi Chef,
best name for a cookie! Mmmm….. so decadent indeed. And how can one say no to cookies on a bad day? That's like saying "No" to Bambi.
Cheers!
Shirley says
August 9, 2010 at 9:37 pmAw, hopefully next time you and your wife can go away together! I'm not a white chocolate person, but those bittersweet chocolate cookies are calling to me!
Gloria says
August 9, 2010 at 2:19 pmDennis you are really sweet to miss your wife, I think is nice! and your cookies look awesome!! x gloria
A multi-dimensional life says
August 9, 2010 at 2:56 amAwww…bittersweet indeed! Missing your wife and even the sweet cookies can't fill the void, right?
Even so, they look delish and I like the thought of pistachios instead of walnuts! Now I'm craving cookies! lol
Jean says
August 9, 2010 at 2:23 amYou're so sweet to miss your wife after 12 years.
I have to say that both those cookies look great to me. I don't consider myself a great baker either, much less a cookie maker. I don't know that I'd say the same about you. These wouldn't last long in my house! Great job!
Lazaro Cooks! says
August 9, 2010 at 1:49 amGreat job making some tasty cookies. My wife is a big cookie fan and she would go for these.
Keep baking, my friend.
baking.serendipity says
August 9, 2010 at 12:57 amBoth versions look delicious to me. I hope they cheered you up. I always bake when my husband is out of town, and put part of the goodies in the freezer for him to enjoy when he's back 🙂
Cristina says
August 8, 2010 at 8:48 pmOh Chef! These cookies…luv cookies. As my profile says on FB "Cookies are the perfect cross between cake and candy"…they are! I am in need of some cookies right now…you've inspired me to get to cookie baking again! Hope you're feeling better and not so blue because you're wife is home now! =)
Organic Warrior says
August 8, 2010 at 8:10 pmThat's so cute! I hate being away from my husband for too long also. I have a 4 day weekend coming up & I'm not sure I'll get through! People think I'm kind of crazy-I miss him more than my kids. And this is after 14 years.
Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul says
August 8, 2010 at 4:23 pmYes, cookies always make me SMILE!
Dennis,
If you are interested…
Don't forget to stop by my blog.
Baking is my Zen will be having a COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY
from August 8 through August 14, 2010.
The giveaway will be the ‘not yet released’ cookbook,
Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented
By Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
http://bakingismyzen.blogspot.com/2010/08/cookbook-giveaway-by-baking-is-my-zen.html
Carmen
the cape on the corner says
August 8, 2010 at 3:50 pmi must say that those cookies look delicious, but i was scrolling thru and found that the pictures you take of the food are great! doubly talented, you are.
i'm so glad you found the cape on the corner, and that makes me feel better knowing that even a chef has a messy kitchen!
Julie M. says
August 8, 2010 at 2:51 pmI don't know, for not being a big baker these look pretty darn delicious to me! I especially love the look of the second one; yummy!
We're in Ocean City this week too! Who knows, maybe we passed your wife on the beach!
Reeni says
August 8, 2010 at 2:09 pmIt doesn't sound like baking made it all that much better…it's sweet how you're missing your wife. I love white chocolate too – paired with salty pistachios just makes them irresistible! And the other version is a chocoholic's dream!
Joanne says
August 8, 2010 at 10:39 amCookies are totally my go-to when I'm in a bad mood as well! Especially ones stuffed with chips…chocolate chips. White chocolate chips. PB chips. Butterscotch chips. I'm a chip equal opportunist. These look awesome!
surviving suburbia says
August 8, 2010 at 9:10 ami love how you started this post… about not liking being away from your wifey, and about cheering yourself up by baking cookies! 🙂 your cookies looked super yummy, too!
btw, i’ve just passed on to you the versatile blogger award… follow this link!
http://burb-life.blogspot.com/2010/08/versatile-blogger-award.html
Kimberly Peterson says
August 8, 2010 at 8:11 amCookiessss!!!! *goes off and starts baking*
Shandy says
August 8, 2010 at 6:48 amYou are so sweet! What a wonderful thing to admit you miss your wife when she is away; you both sound every bit the happy couple!
Ocean city, Maryland? If so, 20 years ago (is it really that long ago? Time has a way of moving right along) I stayed at a friend's condo off of the boardwalk while going to a local community college. I was 3000 miles away from home, missing the Pacific Ocean because someone told me the sand was pumped onto the shores in Ocean City and I was stupified. I had never heard of such a thing at my young age plus I was home sick. I did have a LOT of fun while I was there.
Your cookies BOTH look delicious! The whole house is instantly transformed into a cozy, warm home with the aroma of freshly baked cookies. I can see why people stated OMG after the first bite for the chocolate cookies. They look every bit rich and decadent.
C. Mitchell says
August 8, 2010 at 5:33 amThose look deelish!
Jacqueline says
August 8, 2010 at 4:06 amSo nice to meet you Dennis. My daughter will be starting a culinary school in the fall at a trade college. I am your newest follower. I will be thrilled to hear what you have to say and to try your recipes. I love to cook and not just look at the recipes that are out here in blogland. There is so much talent and creativity and I am loving it. Thanks for stopping by and for this delicious looking recipe.
Kathleen says
August 8, 2010 at 3:21 amHi Dennis,
Nice to meet you. I am enjoying looking around your delicious blog! Glad you came to visit so I found you!
Gree says
August 8, 2010 at 2:03 amSalted pistachio's!!! Yum! I want some right now! I want the chocolate one's too, nothing better for a bad day than something bittersweet..
Chow and Chatter says
August 8, 2010 at 1:33 amoh bless you don't get too lonely and be sure to save some for your wife LOL they look amazing
Isabelle says
August 8, 2010 at 1:27 amOh my god is exactly the right name for these cookies… because oh my god, do they ever look like the best chocolatey pick-me-up ever invented. I know I'd have a lot of trouble feeling blue after one of those! 🙂
Sara @ CaffeIna says
August 8, 2010 at 12:53 amI had a bad day too yesterday and I followed your suggestion! It helped! And I linked to your post. Thanks for the idea of making cookies to cheer oneself up!
Marcellina says
August 7, 2010 at 11:16 pmYour cookies look fantastic! I did question the little amount of flour but as I read through your post I can just imagine how delicious they are. Baking them today!!!
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says
August 7, 2010 at 7:10 pmYour cookies would definitely brighten any day! I wonder if they could heal my cold..
Sage says
August 7, 2010 at 7:06 pmCookies make everything better and today is Saturday so she must be on her way back to you.
Rita
Mary says
August 7, 2010 at 3:30 pmWhat lovely recipes, Dennis. Your photos of them are so lovely that my sweet tooth has started demanding attention. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Emily says
August 7, 2010 at 2:40 pmThe phrase "looks dry on outside but is still gooey on inside" for chocolate cookies is like music to my ears. 😛 The photo is tempting me to bake this asap.
I can't agree with you more on baking cookies if having a bad day. I wish I can find a way to stop myself from finishing them on the same day…..
TREAT AND TRICK says
August 7, 2010 at 1:02 pmHello Dennis,
Thanks for visiting my site and leaving your sweet comment…both cookies look great, I wish I was there to taste it….Have a great weekend!
Drick says
August 7, 2010 at 12:51 pmhard to believe you have a bad day, but now I know why – nope, cookies won't do it for me either – the bagel was the better choice…
Sara says
August 7, 2010 at 12:50 pmGorgeous! I have this cookbook and I definitely have to go make these cookies soon! It will just be hard to decide which kind…I think maybe the white chocolate because my white-chocolate-hating housemate just moved out! 🙂
girlichef says
August 7, 2010 at 9:39 amThey both look fabulous!! And so sweet that you still feel the same way you did 12 years ago…as it should be 😉
Trissa says
August 7, 2010 at 7:51 amHi Chef Dennis! You are so sweet missing your wife life that! I would have to agree that cookies can make anyone's day brighten up!
Kelsey says
August 7, 2010 at 5:52 amI definitely love bittersweet baking chocolate. If I use milk chocolate I find I get a 'sweet tooth' headache later on. But like you said, not all bittersweet is equal, and you really gotta find the right one that has a mix of savory, smooth, and mildly bitter; hence the name 'bittersweet'
i can think of a lot of bakeries around here that could learn many a tips from you on how to make a perfect cookie!
ps. thanks again for all your incredibly nice comments on my experiences with wheat!
hope you're friday is going well (other than baking yummy cookies!). have a fantastic weekend!
🙂
A Little Yumminess says
August 7, 2010 at 5:49 amCookies are a great "day-maker". Both look so yum!!!!
jelena says
August 7, 2010 at 5:15 amOcean City Maryland, is it? Been there! Sometimes it's the distance that makes us grow closer My husband never bakes when I am away, he just refrosts the food I've left in the fridge! Lucky woman she is! Beautiful cookies, the second ones remind me of lace cookies the french kind…
Cookie Sleuth says
August 7, 2010 at 4:48 amYay cookies! The chocolate look amazing!
Memória says
August 7, 2010 at 4:21 amAwww, your wife is so lucky to have someone who still misses her while she's away.
These cookies look amazing! I can't believe the recipe calls for only 2 Tbsp of butter.
Sue says
August 7, 2010 at 3:53 amI'm sure adding salted pistachios was just the right kicker for your second cookie! And that first cookie…I absolutely, positively want one…right now! 🙂
Simony says
August 7, 2010 at 3:48 amOh Dennis, you are a true romantic! How sweet to hear you talking about how you miss your wife. Sometimes I travel alone with the kids, but my husband only knows how to make sandwiches and popcorn! Poor man!
And about baking cookies, I only learned how to make them after I had kids! It was a long road… but now I can say I finally got it!
Kim (Liv Life) says
August 7, 2010 at 3:11 amOh My! I choose cookie number 1!! Bittersweet anything does wonders for my bad days. Hope she comes home soon. She is lucky to have someone missing her so much! 🙂
Kim (Liv Life) says
August 7, 2010 at 3:11 amOh My! I choose cookie number 1!! Bittersweet anything does wonders for my bad days. Hope she comes home soon. She is lucky to have someone missing her so much! 🙂
Chef Bee says
August 7, 2010 at 2:55 amI have always baked cookies for anyone having a rough time but not for myself. Great idea and the cookies look wonderful.
Plan B
DMCgirl says
August 7, 2010 at 2:53 amYour cookies are beautiful and I think it is so sweet that you miss your wife! She is lucky!
I think you baking looks PERFECT!
Yes, I agree with Pattie, those girls must ADORE you!
dmc
Kristen says
August 7, 2010 at 2:23 amBoth cookies look like they have earned their names and their reputations. YUM
Raina says
August 7, 2010 at 1:06 amOnly a true foodie would soothe themselves by baking..lol Your cookies look amazing. A decadent chocolate cookie sounds so, so good and the white chocolate with pistacchios..both definitely OMG cookies for sure. Thanks for sharing them. I am really looking forward to trying them both.
That egg sandwich sounds totally delish too! You made very hungry:)
Ciao Chow Linda says
August 7, 2010 at 12:11 amWow, I just got back from a few days at the shore without my husband but he didn't bake any fabulous cookies like these. What a nice treat to come home to.
Joyce says
August 6, 2010 at 11:27 pmI like your motto! Cookies make most people feel better, esp me!
Eileen says
August 6, 2010 at 11:06 pmOh those look sinful! I'll take two with a glass of skim milk please….
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron says
August 6, 2010 at 11:06 pmYou're so sweet! She will be back in no time Dennis 🙂
Love the cookies! Both versions are great. I can't decide which one to go first. May I have 2 at the same time?
Foodessa says
August 6, 2010 at 10:58 pmDennis…Hubby and I after 23 years feel the exact same way when he departs for business…and yes, I also bake to cheer myself up. When I go away on business…I find the very best bake shop ;o) Thankfully, we did find a sitter for our dog…and that way…at least we do get to spend our vacation time together. I wish you the same arrangement one day too.
The guy behaviour stuff…it's great how you acknowledge it ;o)
Now…to those cookies…especially the first one…incredibly sinful…gotta have them ;o))
Thanks for spoiling us with this one.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Danielle says
August 6, 2010 at 10:55 pmi LOVE the second cookie picture! I would like one please. Also im amused that you keep saying youre not much of a baker yet more than half of your posts have been baked goods! Sounds like me – i say i HATE baking yet people check out my foodie pics and realize its all baking stuff..theyre onto me..
BusyB says
August 6, 2010 at 10:50 pmoh those LOOK YUMMMMY!!! now i want cookies : ) YUM!! thanks for the reciepe!!!! ( I cant spell lol!)
CHEERS HAPPY FRIDAY!
Candace says
August 6, 2010 at 10:43 pmI have a Lindt chocolate bar just waiting to be used on these cookies! I will be making these right away. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe I hope you aren't too sad while your family is away! I don't like being away from my husband at all.
Have a happy weekend, Candace
Joy says
August 6, 2010 at 9:07 pmI completely understand the need for the cookies. I would have done the same thing.
Sarah-Jane - SiliconeMoulds.com says
August 6, 2010 at 7:30 pmwhite ones for me too please – yum yum
Stella says
August 6, 2010 at 7:14 pmDennis, both of the cookies sound wonderful, but that second cookie looks so good. It's almost shiny or something. Like it has a brownie like outside-pretty. You know, I love good white chocolate-not the cheap stuff that won't melt b/c it's fake food. The nice cocoa buttery kind of white chocolate that you can get at Whole Foods. Yum! I wish I could taste that second cookie, Dennis!
p.s. Glad your guy behavior worked out for you this time (smile).