February 2013Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and if you are looking for an indulgent dessert that won't ruin your diet, try our Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies! This recipe replaces half the butter with an extra bar of chocolate, so you and your sweetheart can enjoy these sweet cookies without the guilt!
Related: Wickedly Delicious Chocolate Desserts
Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
*For an even chewier texture, substitute 1/2 cup hazelnut or almond flour for 1/2cup all-purpose flour.
- 3/4 cup uncooked regular oats
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 3 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars, coarsely chopped and divided
- Parchment paper
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake oats in a 9-inch pie plate 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes). Process oats in a blender or food processor 1 minute or until finely ground.
2. Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating just until blended.
3. Stir together flour, next 3 ingredients, and ground oats in a small bowl; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended after each addition. Fold in 2¼ cups chopped chocolate (about 2 bars) just until combined. Cover dough, and chill 8 to 12 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350°. Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets (about 6 per sheet).
5. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown; press remaining chocolate into cookies. Remove from baking sheets to wire racks; cool completely (about 15 minutes).
Test Kitchen Tip! Pressing some of the chocolate into the hot cookies gives a chunkier look. For more great Valentine's Day recipes and ideas, head to SouthernLiving.com
