I am rather more-ish when it comes to cookies. You will probably not find me waxing rhapsodic about the simple charms of a basic, not-too-sweet butter cookie. I want a little more going on when it comes to cookies. More flavors, more textures, more zing. And more cookies please.
These cookies are all that AND a bag of chips (no, not literally). They’re packed with rich chocolate flavor that’s enhanced by chocolate chips, plus they have the warmth of spices and the heat of chilies. They’re crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle. And despite packing enough heat to make you open your eyes when you bite into them, they seem to be universally appealing, as we discovered when we left a plate on the dining room table. The enterprising and surprisingly agile Nuni climbed onto the table, helped herself to three cookies, and proceeded to smear chocolate all over my dining room chairs. Which is why we keep an oilcloth on the table and plan to reupholster those chairs. But I digress.
You can make these in your stand mixer, or if you’re like me and your stand mixer doesn’t live on your kitchen counter and you’re too lazy to pull it off the shelf or even to find the hand mixer in your drawer, you can mix them in a bowl with a wooden spoon and they come out just fine. And I would recommend using excellent cocoa powder — dutch process if you have it (I get mine at Penzeys (which is conveniently near my office)). However, you can use regular chocolate chips and any old honey, since it really contributes texture more than flavor. They’re also fantastic to make with kids because the dough doesn’t have any raw egg, and can be eaten with impunity.
I will have to warn you though — these cookies carry with them a dangerously high threat of eating the whole plate in one go.
Recipe
Aztec Chocolate Cookies
Adapted from Martha Stewart
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Mexican, if available)
7 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup granulated sugar
In a medium bowl combine the flour, spices, and cocoa powder.
In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Add honey and vanilla; beat until combined.
In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough into 2-inch balls, roll dough balls in granulated sugar and place on baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Transfer to oven and bake until surfaces crack slightly, about 18 minutes-20 minutes.
How spicy are these? Im not a spicy foods person so I definitely can’t live with spicy cookies. If I omit the chiles, would they still be good?
PS: I still want you to do a guest post if you have time to write one up this week. Im going to be out of blog range starting next week
They’re spicy, but you could a) cut down on the chilis or b) omit them altogether and they would still be great.
How perfect for cinco de mayo! If you omit the chilis is there another spice that would be a good substitute?
I’m printing out all the recipes for Memere. She thinks you are very clever and so do I.
I love chocolate combined with chile spices! These looks wonderful. Have you ever tried any of the Spicy Maya hot chocolate from Chuao? It is out of this world good in a mocha.
how many cookies does this recipe make?
I’ve had Chuao’s spicy chocolate bar but not the hot chocolate.
It should make about 2 dozen, give or take a few depending on how big you make them and how much dough you eat.
If you omit the chilis there’s still some heat and spice from the cinnamon and ginger. If you want a little spiciness you can add a pinch of cayenne. If you want the smokiness from the chipotle you can add some smoked salt or smoked paprika, but I’d go with closer to 1/4 teaspoon.
I am loving the combo of chocolate and chili lately. Adding these to my list.
I have most of the stuff, but what adjustments should I make for:
Vanilla pods
Fresh Ginger
Dried Chipotles (quite hot)
and I have a couple of cinnamon sticks, but no ground
I tried that hot chocolate, it’s delicious. I think I’ll make some when I get home
Soop — you can grind the chipotle nad the cinnamon sticks in a coffee grinder (or a mortar and pestle if you have the patience). You can omit the vanilla altogether, but I’m not sure how to deal with the ginger — fresh ginger and ground ginger have very different flavors. If you want to try adding some grated fresh ginger, let me know how it turns out.
With cinnamon and chili these chocolate cookies sound really good!
These cookies look, sound absolutely spectacular!
girliness « far far away… // Nov 5, 2009 at 11:31 am
[...] Aztec Chocolate Cookies from Savour Fare – these are super yummy, chocolate with a kick! And the good news is there wasn’t room for them all on the baking sheet (Fancy, we used your wedding gift!) so I still have six I can bake whenever I get the urge… which may be very soon. [...]
Kate, I made these on Tuesday to go with chocolate pudding when some girlfriends came round and they were a big hit! They will definitely go into my regular baking list
I linked to this page from my own blog…