Pages

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Flashback Friday ~ Spring Forward and Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies



I've been loving me some fruit lately. Following the new Weight Watchers program is easier knowing you have "free" crunchy apples that won't eat up your daily allowance.


But even with all of those sweet freebies, I still feel the need to bake up some goodies. One of my co-workers had a hunk of white chocolate left over from Christmas baking, so she generously offered it up to me. Maybe she knew I would return the favor and bring something in to work...and she was right! :-)

I found the perfect recipe to use the white chocolate. I didn't have quite enough to make up the total chocolate called for in the recipe, so I added in some semi sweet chocolate chunks and pecans. They taste kind of like brownies. The Barefoot Contessa helped me out...




Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ina Garten - 2001 Barefoot Contessa Parties
  • 1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup good unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds good white chocolate, coarsely chopped (or half white chocolate, half semi sweet)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well. Add the cocoa and mix again. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the chocolate with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped chocolate and nuts if you're using.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


For the Flashback...let's look forward to Spring~ These are from April 2007.


These little daisies never seem to last in my garden for some reason although I've heard they can become weeds. I'd like to have the problem!



Everything is so fresh and clean in the spring!


And cheery and sunshiny!


I can't wait to see my front yard look this happy again!


Hang in there my winter weary friends....spring will be here soon!

If you have a flashback you'd like to share add your link here


I'm joining in over at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Check it out HERE.

7 comments:

Marsha said...

You don't know how much I needed this flashback of those beautiful spring flowers this am - it is 17 degrees below zero out this am with -30 windchill! Your flowers are always a breath of fresh air, so many varieties I never see like the daisy that you said doesn't last for you.

Love the heart shaped bite out of the apple :) I too am loving the new WW program with the free fruits - I am enjoying so much fresh fruit that I don't even crave any other sweets. So well your cookies look decadent and delicious, I'm passing today :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

We're having similar weather to Marsha, so though spring flowers are a sight for sore and cold eyes!

Gotta pass on the cookies for now as well since I may have to put on a swimsuit in 4 weeks! Yikes!

Beth said...

Your cookies look delicious, Suzy! Good luck with the WW program. I like how WW has no forbidden foods. My best to you, Beth

Carol said...

Those cookies look so good, but have to say so does that apple :) Pretty flowers!
Love the flashback! I didn't play this week, but maybe I should flash back to new puppy from LAST year :)

♥peachkins♥ said...

Fantastic looking cookie!!!

Cathy said...

Your beautiful flowers are such a welcome sight right now. My garden is so soggy and dreary. It seems impossible that in a few months little sprouts will once again appear and everything will turn green.

Wonderful cookies, Suzy.

Julie M. said...

Bring on spring! I am definitely ready for the flowers to come back out again. What beautiful pictures you took!

Those cookies look like a perfect finish to the day. I could easily eat one right this minute; yum!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin