I got to tell you, as much as I love eating dark chocolate by the bar, I think I'm soon to be a purist no more.
Dark chocolate can be enjoyed even in cookie form as I discovered today. What in the world am I talking about? Why all you can do is to look at the pictures and imagine then. Or you could try out the recipe too.
It all started with the idea of having an afternoon tea with my closest girlfriends and yesterday seemed perfect. Lina's birthday was on Tuesday anyway so this tea I organised doubled up as a quiet birthday celebration for her. Happy Birthday once again babe! :)
Afternoon tea is quite English and I've always loved to go for one. I've only been to a few proper English high teas but I gotta tell you; nothing beats having your own high tea. I know I've always wanted to hold one but couldn't find the time or my friends would be busy! But yesterday was an opportune time and I baked Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, Cranberry Scones, and Nutella Cupcakes.
I was pleased that my scones turned out all right! I actually used Molly's Scone Recipe I came across on Everybody Likes Sandwiches. You can add any flavour variation like currants, grated coconut, or even orange rind but I went for cranberries because I love the sweet yet tangy taste to it.
Again, I wanted to try a new chocolate recipe and was sieving through my recipe folder in my laptop when I found this Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie recipe from Epicurious. I baked them and my verdict can be summed up in one word: Phenomenal. Anyone who loves dark chocolate should definitely try these cookies. Mine was really really rich because I used Droste's 72% dark chocolate on top of the Cailler Cocoa Powder my aunt brought back from Switzerland the other time. These cookies are heaven-sent. I'm so glad I chose this recipe! I'm still thinking about the cookies. Mmmmm.... I think I'll have some for breakfast!
I had to bake nutella cupcakes especially since our dearest friend Shivani just came back from Perth after finishing her studies. Lina, Shivani and I have been best friends since our mass comm days at Ngee Ann Poly and it's amazing how our friendship is still as strong. Haha, Shiv actually saw pictures of the cupcakes on this blog of mine and wanted to try some. Of course I had to bake them! It was really good, having a nice long chat with your close friends while enjoying some cookies, scones and cupcakes. I tell you, I couldn't have asked for anything more homely and comfortable.
Lina baked gingerbread and it was really good! I should get the recipe from her and try it our myself one day. Anyway yesterday's afternoon tea was a great success... oh Shiv even brought tiramisu her bro bought. It was yummy!
Ahh... nothing beats spending a lovely afternoon catching up with dear ol' friends. I like afternoon teas. It gives one an opportunity to stop for a while, relax and enjoy the moment. Lovely!
Regarding the dark chocolate cookies, the recipe doesn't require dark chocolate itself so did you melt it into the batter or did you use it as chocolate chips? And did you use the steel cut oats?
ReplyDeletehi mj, the dark chocolate the recipe refers to is actually the unsweetened cocoa powder. by right, that is chocolate in one of it's purest form. I used 72% dark chocolate on top of that. 1/4 cup of it. I substituted semisweet chocolate chips for chopped up dark chocolate. and I used old fashion rolled oats. both work fine :)
ReplyDeletehi..
ReplyDeleteYour blog has motivated me to start baking too.
I am thinking of baking nutella cupcakes. However as it's my first attempt in baking, I need to ask you some questions. They may seem a little trivial but I am hoping that u could help me out.
1. What is ap flour? Is it all purpose flour?
2. Could I cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer and how light is light?
Many Thanks.
Wow, those photos are.. divine! o_o
ReplyDeleteI recently tried out baking, being inspired by blogs like yours. I just started a blog to jot down my humble baking attempts, wondering if ii could link you up? :)
Hihi! How did the nutella cupcakes turn out? Were they really yum, chocolaty and moist? I really want to bake some cupcakes this weekend but not sure which ones to bake! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeletehi baker! wow! yummy baked goodies! i'll try it out when my taste buds have rested from eating too much sweets. Was the chocolate cookie sweet?
ReplyDeleteChristine: that's great! yep, ap flour is all purpose flour. when creaming butter and sugar, just cream till it's pale yellow and slightly fluffy. about 2 mins depending how much butter & sugar the recipe calls for. email me if you have any questions! :)
ReplyDeletegirl: hey hey... sure, i added your link on my blog too. :)
Liz: yep, these are moist and full of awesome nutella-chocolatey goodness. try it!
Daisy: the chocolate cookie was just nice... i used alot of dark chocolate and lessen the amount of sugar so it was divine - just the way i like it! :)