Post In A Pinch

Yesterday I had a little bit of a panic attack when it dawned on me that I had not posted anything since Saturday.  Additionally I had nothing in my house to cook with, at least anything that wasn't frozen solid. 

So I hurried home after work and surveyed my kitchen for odds and ends that could become something more substantial, and wouldn't you know it I found some yummy Valrhona chocolate that I had wanted to use for another recipe that just didn't pan out. 

So chocolate it was, and now what to do with it.   It had to be something easy, because it was just me and the three year old for the evening.  More surveying was needed, and after going through every cupboard at a frenzied pace I figured out what to do........cookies. 

So I feverishly cleaned up the sugar I spilled all over the kitchen during my treasure hunt, threw everything back into its respective drawer or cabinet, ran to the store to pick up chocolate chips, picked up the little one from daycare, made her dinner, got her bathed, pretended that Dora the Explorer was the most fascinating thing ever, read the bedtime stories, brushed teeth, put her to bed, gave my husband a kiss when he got home, and at ten o'clock at night I made cookies, and thank god they were good, because I think I would have caused major harm to my innocent mixer had they not turned out.  As it turns out they were more than good, ending up to be like a brownie in a cookie, and the end result was simple, a post in a pinch.......and a chocolate craving satisfied.

Chewy Triple Chocolate Cookies

Cook Time: 45 minutes

2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1-1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1 tablespoon water
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3oz melted dark chocolate
12oz semi-sweet chocolate chips




Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.  Set aside.  In a small bowl combine the espresso powder and water and stir until the powder is dissolved.

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment cream the butter.  Add the sugar and mix until combined.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition. 

Add the vanilla and espresso and mix well.  Add the chocolate and mix until well mixed, scraping the sides of the bowl.  Add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined, then add the chocolate chips.  Chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. 

Using a medium sized ice cream scoop, scoop the cookie dough into equal portions (about 2 tablespoons) on a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet.  Place in the middle of the oven and bake until the middle looks set but is still soft, about 10 minutes. 

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow the cookies to sit on the cookie sheet about 5 minutes.  Remove the cookies using a spatula and place on racks to cool completely.  Makes about 2 dozen cookies.