Another chocolate cookie recipe for me this week. No surprise in the middle this time, just a chocolate cookie with a twist: a chili twist! Sounds a bit weird but I promise you it's good. What better way to warm up around the Christmas tree than indulging in a cookie hidden with a warming spice like chili? This recipe was inspired by a couple of things. I had never heard of chili and chocolate together until I moved to Australia and worked next to a gourmet sweet store. They used to sell an array of gourmet chocolates, one of which was a little chocolate infused with chili flavour. My work mate used to absolutely love this chocolate; I used to turn my nose up at it until she made me sample it one day. Wow.... wonderful!
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The second thing that inspired me was Lindt's new chili chocolate. It's not exactly new new, but it came out a couple of years ago here and it's probably one of the only chocolate bars I buy regularly.
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Anyway, enough chatting...onto the recipe!
Chili Chocolate Cookies
2 cups of flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup cocoa
50g dark chocolate
1/4 cup cocoa
50g dark chocolate
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp* chili
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
a few Tbsp sugar
red food colouring
*You can use anywhere from 1/2 tsp for a slightly warming flavour to 1 tsp for a definite chili finish. I wouldn't go below 1/2 tsp though
Method
Preheat oven to 350F
Prepare decorating sugar by placing a few tablespoons of white sugar in a small bowl and adding a few drops of red food colouring. Mix until it is evenly distrubuted.
In a clean bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Crack in the egg and add vanilla extract then beat until smooth. Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl and mix until well combined. Add dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture and combine with a metal spoon. Shape the dough into balls approx 1.5-2" diameter.
Smear a dab of butter all over the bottom of a glass, then dip the glass in the red sugar. Use the glass to flatten each ball of dough slightly, dipping again into the sugar each time.
Place in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
Voila!
Here's what everyone else got up to in the kitchen this week, for Week Three:
I have always been intrigued with chocolate and chili combos, so these cookies look awesome - I'm bookmarking them! Thanks for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteI love cookies with a spicy kick to them. There's just nothing so good as that little burn at the back of your throat. What type of chili powder did you use to make these cookies?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've never tried the chocolate/chili combination, but I'm sure it's like you said - wait until you try it!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued too! I am not a chocolate fan but these sound so interesting I might have to make them.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a great looking cookie! I also have never tried the chilli chocolate combo but this is a must try!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a little heat to take the chill off! YUM!
ReplyDeleteI have added pepper to baked goods but not chili. I have a new mission. I can imagine how good these are.
ReplyDeleteI love how they are all crackly on top with the red sugar...very festive! What a nice surprise to bite into the chocolate with chili...I'd love to try these cookies:)
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that chocolate every time I'm at the store. I'll have to pick up a bar next time. Your cookies look yummy.
ReplyDeletewhat did you use for the chocolate flavor and how much? I've read through the recipe several times and must be missing it! I really want to try these cookies, they may be just right for the annual cookie exchange I participate in
ReplyDeleteNo you're right, I forgot! I have amended the recipe :)
ReplyDeleteThese sound really good and I am about to try them, but I am not sure what to do with the dark chocolate. Should it be melted? Grated? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne, grate the chocolate or chop into small pieces.
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