Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These chocolate chunk cookies are very reminiscent of brownies. Using milk chocolate chunks gave little burst of sweetness although if dark chocolate chunks were used the cookies would then be a nice deep rich chocolate flavour. Regardless, these are a pure chocolate lovers dream.    

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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makes approximately 16 cookies

1/2 cup (125ml) margarine or butter

1/3 cup (75ml) packed brown sugar

1/3 cup (75ml) granulated sugar/caster sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups (300ml) all purpose flour

1/4 cup (60ml) good quality cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon (2ml) baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon (2ml) baking powder

1/4 teaspoon (1ml) salt

1 cup (250ml) chocolate chunks, like Hersey's Chipits Inspirations Milk Chocolate Chunks 

Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a baking tray with baking parchment paper.

In a bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk together. Set aside.  

In another bowl and using an electric mixer, beat together the margarine or butter, if using, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla.

Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until smooth. Fold in the milk chocolate chunks.

Drop heaping spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared lined baking tray, 2 inches (5cm) apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are firm; let cool on baking tray for 5 minutes. Transfer to wires racks to continue cooling. Repeat until all the cookie dough has been baked.  

Notes: If you can not find the Hersey's Chunks, then chop or break your favourite chocolate or chocolate bar into into pieces and use that. I found that 10 minutes was sufficient baking time, however ovens vary. Milk chocolate chunks gave the cookies a little hit of sweetness, although  

Enjoy the sunshine! - JD   

Chewy Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

Usually white chocolate comes to mind when making macadamia nut cookies however  this time, milk chocolate has owned it's rightful place nestled beside the macadamia nut; which has taken a bit of the sweetness off these irresistible chewy cookies.  

Chewy Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

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1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 cup applesauce

2 cups light packed dark brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons hot water

2 2/3 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground flax seed

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped macadamia nut pieces

1 270g package of milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC) 

In a bowl beat together the melted butter, applesauce, dark brown sugar, the 2 eggs and the hot water. Blend until smooth. 

In another bowl blend together the flour, ground flax, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the chopped macadamia nut pieces; stir to coat.  

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the package of chocolate chips. Drop 1 tablespoon portions of dough onto ungreased cookie baking tray. 

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool for 1 minute on baking tray then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.  

Notes: I found 8 minutes was enough baking time however ovens vary. You may use white chocolate chips if you wish. If you do not use more than one cookie baking tray may I suggest lining it with some baking parchment paper.  

Warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine this week. Hope everyone is having a good one so far. - JD 

Food Photo of the Day ~ Candy Cane Bark

This was my daughter's creation, Candy Cane Bark. With only a few simple ingredients we created this sweet treat to share. Solid milk chocolate topped with white chocolate and crushed candy canes for some minty goodness. My son wasn't going to miss this opportunity and helped by keeping an eye on the chocolate as it melted and by placing a handful of crushed candy canes on top. They definitely had fun and enjoyed sampling once the everything had set.  

Hope everyone had a good weekend! - JD  

Maple Bacon Chocolate

Who doesn't like chocolate... and who doesn't like bacon? The pairing of these two seems like a step in the right direction. Maple and bacon I completely understand. I have been known to drizzle maple syrup inside my bacon butty. Maple, bacon and chocolate can go either way. For myself, this gourmet chocolate bar tasted like a creamy milk chocolate with tiny crunchy bits that didn't taste much like bacon. Perhaps I should have bought the potato chip chocolate bar. To find out more about Chuao chocolatiers click *here*  Hope you all are having a good weekend! - JW