Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sometimes Baking Mistakes Are Oh So Delicious


So have you ever been in a hurry when you are baking?  I mean you are just making the usual cookie which you've done a dozen or so times.  The dough doesn't feel quite right but, oh well, you just put it in the freezer(I prefer to freeze my dough before making cut out cookies - the dough is firmer and easier to roll and cut) for when you are ready to create?  But later when you thaw the dough , it well... won't roll.  I mean, its a DISASTER.  Yeah - I've been there.  But sometimes when that happens - you discover something even better.


Last week I participated in my first ever Craft Fair.  It was held in my hometown and was so much fun.  I had the fall cookies above and these adorable dresseses, my favorite chocolate chip cookies and ....


these -- my disasters. 

This incredibly soft as a pillow so the chocolate literally melts in your mouth cookie, was born from a disaster.  My cookie dough was both a fudgy and crumbly mess.  I could not roll it out.  I didn't want to throw away all of that dough so I rolled it into little golf balls and baked it.  The result - a true Chocolate Delight!  You have to try these, seriously.  My only warning, your hands will be a chocolately sticky mess after each batch.


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Chocolate Delights
adapted from a recipe from Dog Hill Cookies


3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg


-Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave and set aside to cool slightly.  Follow the melting instructions on your package as heating levels vary.  Note:  chocolate keeps its shape when melted.  You have to stir with a spatula or wooden spoon to determine if it is melted.  Chocolate burns easy, so stir frequently.

-Mix together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

-Beat the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy.

-Add the chocolate and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix in. Add the egg and beat until incorporated.

-Add in the flour in three stages until all the ingredients are fully combined. Form a big ball and cover the dough with plastic wrap, refrigerating until fully chilled.

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

- Using your hands, form balls slightly smaller than a golf ball.

- Bake for 11 minutes and then let cool on a wire rack.


My pictures of these cookies really don't do them justice.  I like them because they are flat but remain soft.


Have you ever had a baking disaster turn into your delight?


 





4 comments:

  1. These must be really delicious! I would like to try the recipe. The mini squares pan I used for my TWD effort is the Chicago Metallic Lift and Serve Single Squares Pan. It's really great as it has removable bases for each square.

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  2. Well, sadly, most of my baking disasters remain disasters. There have been a few times when a pan of fudge that didn't set was turned into ice cream topping, but those are few and far between--mostly they go in the trash! But I'm so glad you were able to rescue your cookies, they look and sound fabulous!

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  3. Saw your post at Cake Wrecks. These cookies are TOO cute! Great job!

    -Jenniffer
    http://cupadeecakes.blogspot.com

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  4. I'd love to try these chocolate cookies. Most of the chocolate cookie recipes I've made just don't have enough chocolate for my chocoholic tendencies. The dresses are adorable as well. I must get some new cutters when I go to the states for the holidays.

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