Monday, January 21, 2008

Chocolate Marble Chunk Cookies


One of the yummy cookbooks I got for Christmas was Tish Boyle's The Good Cookie. Over 250 cookie recipes, how could I resist? I went through and picked 3 cookies to start with but only ended up making 2, this being one of them, the other being caramel-almond tiger cookies that I'll be posting about soon and you can see in the blurry background.


Usually I'm not really a fan of chocolate dough cookies, except I've really fallen for the Andes Chocolate Mint Cookies (which use actual chocolate in the dough instead of cocoa powder). And I also usually don't like nuts in my cookies, so I'm not sure what drew me to this recipe that uses cocoa powder and pecans. I was really happy with how they turned out though. Very chocolatey. This cookie seems to benefit from using chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips, and was the perfect excuse for me to use up the last of my Callebaut chocolate (which was quite possibly one of the reasons I loved these cookies.) And the pecans added the perfect bit of crunch and something special.


I love how cute these cookies are (not traditionally cute no but to me they are!) and I loved how they were soft throughout and stayed soft for days. They also freeze really well. And I have now begun my love affair with pecans. Okay so I've only made 2 baked goods with pecans so far (I added them to a muffin) but I predict good things in our future. Butter pecan biscuits from Dorie's book for one, and also pecan pie cookies.


Chocolate Marble Chunk Cookies
Adapted from The Good Cookie

Makes about 34 3-inch cookies or 55-60 small cookies.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted*
12 ounces bittersweet or semisweet bar chocolate, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup pecan pieces

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375F.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars at medium-high speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of th ebowl as necessary. At low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just until blended.

4. Transfer 1 3/4 cups** of the dough to another bowl and set aside. Add the cocoa powder to the dough remaining in the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until blended. Add half of the chocolate and half of the pecans and mix unitl well blended. Stir the remaining chocolate and pecans into the light coloured dough.

5. Fill one side of a measuring spoon*** with the light dough, making it well rounded, not level. Fill the remaining half with chocolate dough. Roll the dough into a bowl and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Moisten your palm to prevent sticking, and flatten the dough into a 1 1/2 inch disk. Repeat the remaining dough, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the lighter dough just begins to color. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

*I used regular cocoa.
**Don't be like me and put less than 1 3/4 cups because it looks like too much. You'll end up with more chocolate dough, which was actually quite tasty on its own.
***I used a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop but the recipe recommends a 1 tablespoon scoop.

21 comments:

Gretchen Noelle said...

These look very tasty!!! I would certainly enjoy one with a cup of coffee.

bakeorbreak said...

Yum! These look delicious. I must check out that cookbook! It sounds like one I would love.

kickpleat said...

that looks so tasty and melt-in-your-mouth-ish! yummy.

Deborah said...

These cookies are gorgeous! I need to check out that cookbook. I borrowed Tish Boyle's Cake Book from the library once, and have wanted it ever since. I'll have to add this book as well!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

250 cookie recipes?? talk about a marvelous cookbook!! I can't even begin to tell you how gorgeous and perfect those marbled cookies look - divine!!

Anonymous said...

I'm terrible at choosing just one flavor, so I love things that are marbled or combinations like this. These cookies look quite tasty, and I can't wait to hear about the other batch, too.

Unknown said...

Mmmm...these ARE cute and sound good, even though I, too, am not a big fan of chocolate dough cookies.

Jaime said...

i'm not sure i would call these cookies "cute," but i think they are very pretty! :)

Cakespy said...

DAMN those look good. I could do some damage here.

Anonymous said...

these look scrummy! yum. I am intrigued by the tiger ones in the background.
lasted days? sounds like you needed me there to help you out with the eating! :o)

Bev
(yummy in my tummy)

Katie Zeller said...

That's just mean! Post a recipe and gorgeous photos of a yummy cookie - a month AFTER Christmas...
I'm going to be awake all night trying to decide if I should make them now...or wait....

Archana Doshi said...

Lovely. A simple recipe and quick to get ingredients. My sons loves these mixture of marble choc. Will gice it a try sometime.
Thanks for sharing
Archana
http://www.archanaskitchen.com

One Food Guy said...

Seriously? Chocoloate marble chunk cookies, Andes chocolate mint cookies, pecan pie cookies!! I think I just gained 5 pounds thinking about those cookies! Delicious!

Mallow said...

I have this book too and have found some keepers in it. I can't wait to see your caramel cookies. I've always wanted to try them, but never feel quite ambitious enough!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Chocolate chunks and pecans? Oh, yes! These look wonderful

Gigi said...

I want that book so bad, but I have so many already. The cookies look phenomenal! This recipe is definitely a keeper.

Lyrically speaking said...

they look nice and crunchy...yummmmmmy!

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

great recipe. these cookies look wonderful.

Brilynn said...

I've made these too, they're a lot of fun!

Katrina said...

I made these a few days ago after stumbling upon your site. They are delicious and were fun to make.

avesta said...

I can't wait to try this recipe! Love the idea and they look soooo good!