black forest cookiesSince the end of summer is near, I thought we could all use a mood booster -- in the form of food, of course. Nothing fancy (okay, maybe a little bit fancy). Just some good old fashioned luscious chocolate deliciousness. We could all use it, right?

Behold, friends! I present you with the unbelievably decadent, utterly delectable, can't-go-wrong Black Forest Cookie!



Black Forest Cookies adapted from (Queen) Martha Stewart:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 package (about 12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks
  • 1 1/2 cups dried cherries
Instructions:
 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
 
2. Place chopped chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; whisk in sugars, then eggs, until smooth.
 
3. Whisk in dry ingredients just until combined (do not overmix). Fold in chocolate chunks and dried cherries; press plastic wrap directly onto surface of dough, and refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.
 
4. Drop mounds of dough (equal to 2 level tablespoons) about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheets. Bake just until edges are firm (but not darkening), 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
 
Image via joyosity/Flickr