Triple Chocolate Cookies With Nuts

DSC_0170.JPG

When it comes to cookies, I find myself going for either chocolate chip or a simple sugar cookie with powder sugar.  Simplicity in my mind tastes better than the elaborate.  However, when I start to experiment with cookies and I study various recipes, ideas come to mind.  I love this stage of my recipe testing.  I start to think of flavor combinations and texture. A lot of what people eat is not just about flavor, but about texture. People remember the mouth feel of food just as they remember the flavor.  I bet there is a food that you won't eat because of the texture. You say to people I don't like avocados and partly its because of the taste and maybe lack of flavor, but it is also the texture of the food.  Anyway, when I create and test recipes, texture definitely plays a role in the recipe.

So, when I was looking for a great chocolate cookie, I knew it needed to have great flavor, but also great texture.  When I tested the triple chocolate cookie, the cookie was too chocolate-ly. It was too soft and the texture needed something more.  I tried various nuts (except Pecans, I am allergic) and some tasted great and some where well.....the texture was not there. However, most nuts worked!

Well, without further adieu, here is the recipe.

Ingredients :

  • 2 1/2 cups / 11 1/4 ounces / 312.5 grams - AP Flour
  • 1/4 cup / .8 ounces / 23 grams - Unsweetened Cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon - Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon - Salt
  • 1 cup / 7 ounces / 200 grams - Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 cup / 5 1/4 ounces / 157.5 grams - Granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup / 8 ounces / 226 grams - Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
  • 4 ounces / 113 grams - Semi - Sweet Chocolate Melted
  • 2 - Large Eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 teaspoon - Vanilla
  • 1 cup / 4 ounces / 114 grams - Finely Chopped Hazelnuts (I used various kinds of nuts - almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.  I liked the walnuts best, but my testers preferred Hazelnuts.)
  • 1 bag / 10 ounces /283 grams - Bittersweet Chocolate Chip

Directions:

  • Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

DSC_0161.JPG
  • Melt the Semi-Sweet Chocolate. (let it cool)

  • Cream Sugars with butter till light and fluffy.

DSC_0162.JPG
  • Add eggs and vanilla and mix till thoroughly combine.

  • Add the melted chocolate.  Mix till thoroughly combined.

  • Slowly add the flour. Mix until just combine. Do not over mix.

  • Add the chocolate chips and nuts and again, mix until just combine. Do not over mix.

  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F / Gas Mark 3 / 163 degrees Celsius.

  • Take cookie dough out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 30 minutes. 

  • Take a cookie scoop (you can pick any size or use a tablespoon).  Scoop on parchment on a cookie sheet.

  • Bake for 5 minutes and flip pan bake for another 5 minutes.

Enjoy with a glass of milk!!!