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November 20, 2011

Fudgy Chocolate – Walnut Cookies

I woke up in such a funk today. Is it any surprise to see chocolate and cookies combined? I mean… it’s almost an unwritten law when my heart’s sinking fast.

I don’t know who was tugging my mood strings today, but hoo-boy… I’ve been in a major snarl face mood. And really: I have no damn reason to be crying. I’m making it in one of the hardest cities to be making it, I’m young, healthy, and most importantly – I have YOU (!!!) and this blog.

Truth: I’m so so lucky. I need to knock it off! I’m knocking it off – Promise… ok… i’m trying at least. deal?

Sometimes I just can’t help feeling like something’s …missing. Someone’s missing.

Because really, you never feel too cute alone on a Saturday night with a bottle of bourbon and a plate of cookies as your only company. Not that I have any issues with bourbon and cookies – they rock.

After a few hours of woe is me mentality, I called the only woman who could slap some sense into me: My Mama Bear, of course.

So I had the whole 45 minute “I just don’t understand why – blah blah he doesn’t love me blah blah blah” talk with the Mama – i’ll spare you that mess! Seriously. But after a good chat, and a good cry, the only natural next step was a good batch of cookies.

They had to be chocolate cookies for a very good reason: I wanted chocolate cookies. And sometimes that reason just has to be good enough. I made the cookies, and ate some. Took a nap, and ate some more. Starting drinking a little bourbon… and well… here we are: me, you, and the cookies. Oh… the cookies! Duh: they’re rich, chewy, and completely decadent – do it!

P.S. Thanks for always being here. I think you’re the greatest. And i’ll always be here for you too, with cookies and with love.

Fudgy Chocolate – Walnut Cookies – François Payard via Food and Wine

Ingredients:

  1. 2 3/4 cups walnut halves (9 ounces)
  2. 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
  3. 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  5. 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  6. 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Position 2 racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Spread the walnut halves on a large rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 9 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then transfer the walnut halves to a work surface and finely chop them.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the confectioners’ sugar with the cocoa powder and salt. Whisk in the chopped walnuts. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract and beat just until the batter is moistened (be careful not to overbeat or it will stiffen). Spoon the batter onto the baking sheets in 12 evenly spaced mounds.
  4. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes, until the tops of the cookies are glossy and lightly cracked and feel firm to the touch; shift the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through.
  5. Slide the parchment paper (with the cookies) onto 2 wire racks to cool completely before serving.
MAKE AHEAD The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

 

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Filed Under: Chocolate, Cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bakerbynature says

    November 20, 2011 at 3:31 am

    I LOVE what you’re sayin’. Oh, and every one of your comments ALWAYS make me smile. I want you to know that. xx

    Reply
  2. bakerbynature says

    November 20, 2011 at 3:32 am

    Fed ex or UPS? xx

    Reply
  3. Miriam @ Overtime Cook says

    November 20, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Oh wow, these look absolutely amazing!

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

      They were! So fudgy and melt in your mouth good: milk is a must!

      Reply
  4. Emmy (Wine and Butter) says

    November 20, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Hi! SO! Shall I drop this whoever they are a line!?
    Tell them bout how youre so cool that you run this blog which inspires people from across the world (aka me) to send REALLY over-excited and probably stalker sounding messages upon discovering it!?!
    That you have created a page with links to lemon drenched cake and raspberry buttermilk cake and penne alla vodka… (not to mention that you list chocolate babka under breakfast, which is like amazing….)
    I think whoever they are sound very weird for failing to appreicate you. UNLESS its because they are alarmed by your ability to find decadent recipes that make use of ingredients people always have in their stock cupboard (recipe above, prime example). Maybe they view associations with you as dangerous for their waistline and avoiding temptation to make chocolate cookies for breakfast (especially after having had pizza and waaaay too much wine the next before – ugh!!). That I could maybe sort of understand. ….. xox

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

      You’re the best, Em. Seriousness – the.best. x

      Reply
  5. Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says

    November 20, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I hope The One will show up at your door steps soon. he doesn’t know how well he’s going to be treated. I mean, just look at these cookies, who could not fall in love with you if you show up at the door with a dozen and a glass of cold milk?

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 21, 2011 at 12:26 am

      I’m totally the girl with cookies! I know it will happen… just waiting can be hard sometimes. Thanks for being here!

      Reply
  6. Kristy says

    November 20, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    As someone that has someone, and some awesome little kiddies, a decent job, a great life…I still have those days too. I completely understand the “something is missing” thing. Must of been in the air yesterday. I went for a good run in the a.m. complete with a bit of tears. 😉 And believe it or not there is one dish I make with chocolate in it for just such days…LOL. Hope today is a better one for you. And trust me…he’ll come along, usually when you least expect it. And don’t accept anything less than someone that loves you for you without exception. 🙂

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 21, 2011 at 12:11 am

      Thank you, Kristy! I’m in a shocked stupor – and a little bit giddy – to hear even you fall back on chocolate some days 🙂 xx

      Reply
  7. Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says

    November 20, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    Fudgy cookies look so good! I love chocolate, so I’m sure I’d eat a lot of those 🙂

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 21, 2011 at 12:12 am

      They’re ALL gone… 🙁

      Reply
  8. Charles says

    November 21, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Is this a girls only party here, or can I chime in and say that even us guys like to fall back on chocolate sometimes… but usually we’ll take it where no-one can see us eating it, like the shed, bathroom, cupboard… then we can have a little weep and emerge like a born-again-bear, all manly and chest-thumping!

    Great looking cookies 🙂

    Reply
  9. Kate M. says

    November 21, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. 🙁 But you are beautiful, amazing and can bake some kick-ass cookies!

    You’re a winner. 😉

    Reply
  10. Erika @ The Teenage Taste says

    November 21, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Oh my goodness, these look super fudgy! Mmmmm – I’m going to make these the next time a chocolate craving strikes. YUM!

    Reply
  11. Asmita says

    November 21, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    This is exactly how I love my cookies to be. I am going to bake these for sure. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Reem | Simply Reem says

    November 21, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    First of all a Big Hug to you…
    I know what you meant in this post but here is the best part you are the BEST in every way……
    So girl get up and bake some more cookies for me now… PLLLLLLLZZZZZZZZ 😉
    I can absolutely kill for these cookies….. Delicious…

    Reply
  13. NicolaFG says

    November 21, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    “Guess why I smile a lot? Uh….’cause it’s worth it.” – Marcel the Shell. But your cookies look totally worth it too.

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 22, 2011 at 12:30 am

      You make me smile. Love you pretty lady! xx

      Reply
  14. Caroline says

    November 22, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Seriously…it’s times like these I really question why I don’t like chocolate. No one ever understands. These look fantastic! Perfect texture. Sending lots of hugs your way…all will work out. I can’t count how many hours I’ve spent on the phone with my mom complaining about boys, relationships, etc. Thankfully she’s a good listener, cause sometimes I’ve got a lot of venting to do! Hang in there love. xx

    Reply
    • bakerbynature says

      November 22, 2011 at 12:32 am

      I’m always amazed at how much complaining my mom can handle! Thank goodness we have them, eh? And thanks for the virtual hugs – they help! xx

      Reply
  15. Stefanie says

    November 28, 2011 at 4:55 am

    So sorry you were having such a rough day! These look like amazing cookies to make you feel better, though. Mmm mmm good!

    Reply
  16. Jawharah says

    December 20, 2011 at 2:57 am

    Gosh. These look super amazing.

    Reply

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Meet Ashley

Hey! I’m Ashley, a creative spirit with a major sweet tooth. Most days you can find me in my happy place: the kitchen. If I’m not there, I’m probably snapping photos of food, planning a party… or dreaming about my next trip to Paris (AKA my favorite place in the entire world). I’m a story teller, recipe developer, and photographer who firmly believes that a homemade life is a happy life. Learn More.

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