I was really in the mood for cookies, tonight.

I suppose I’m always in the mood for cookies – which is why I make them and don’t buy them. We try to keep the instant gratification foods to a minimum around the house. If we want a treat, we have to make it. It’s not like either of us can’t have a batch of cookies out of the oven in 20 minutes or less, but it’s still more effort than going to the cupboard and getting down the box. Treats take a modicum of planning.

My first thought was a basic chocolate chip – I can make those in my sleep – but as I was starting to pull ingredients together, I remembered a double chocolate cookie that starts off with a pound of melted chocolate. And I just happened to have a pound of chocolate waiting to be melted!

The joys of a well-stocked larder…

All I needed to do was find the recipe – which I did in a matter of minutes.

I’m glad I found the recipe. These are some fine cookies! Much more cake-like and really really chocolaty. They’re light, fudgy, and and intense – all at the same time! I ate four of them – and then went back for one more!

As with all things, the better the ingredients, the better the end result. I used a really good 72% dark chocolate. I wouldn’t waste my time melting chocolate chips…

These would handle crushed peppermint candy really well. I may have to think about making a batch at Christmas…

Double Chocolate Cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 pound good-quality dark chocolate
• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350°.

Line cookie sheets with parchmant paper.

Mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

Coarsely chop chocolate. Melt together 3/4 of the chocolate and 1 cube of butter in medium bowl – in double boiler or microwave. Stir in sugar.

Stir in eggs 1 at a time and then add flour mixture until just combined.

Chill dough about 20 minutes.

Use a 1 tbsp scoop and dish out cookies about 1″ apart. Bake in middle of oven about 8 minutes.

Cool cookies on sheet pan about 5 minutes and then place on rack to cook completely. Makes about 42 cookies.

Yeah… I definitely see more of these in our future…