Monday, April 14, 2014

Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies



There is something about the combination of sweet and salty that I find to be irresistible. Perhaps that's why I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter so much. When Dan and I visited the Chocolate Bar a few months back, I went up and got a cup of popcorn several times throughout the morning. The salty popcorn was the perfect complement to the dozens of chocolate desserts we sampled. Which brings me to these cookies- another great example of my love for the combination of sweet and salty. 


This receipe calls for 20 ounces of semisweet chocolate. At first I thought that seemed like way too much chocolate for one batch of cookies, but really is there such a thing as too much chocolate? There is sea salt mixed into the batter, as well as sprinkled on top of the cookies. If you love the combination of sweet and salty as much as I do, then these salted double chocolate chunk cookies are definitely worth a try. 

Salted Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Recipe from Annie's Eats (originally from Martha Stewart Living) 

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Combine the 8 ounces of chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl set over a a pot of barely simmering water. Heat until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Mix on medium- high speed for 4-5 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Reduce the speed of the mixer and add the melted chocolate mixture. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Turn off the mixer and add the remaining chocolate. Gently fold with a rubber spatula. 

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, drop balls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly soft in the center and crackly on top. Sprinkle with additional sea salt.  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Clear Flour Bread {Brookline, MA}




Last weekend Dan and I visited Clear Flour Bread, a small bakery located just outside of downtown Boston. Although we arrived only a few minutes after it opened, there was already a small line down the street. Clear Flour Bread is a popular neighborhood bakery known for its amazing bread and breakfast pastries. As soon as I walked through the door, I wanted to order one of everything. 

The morning bun is one of the most popular items on the menu at Clear Flour Bread. Winner of a "Best of Boston Award," these cinnamon pastries often sell out before noon. Make sure to get there early so you don't miss out on this one. 


A freshly baked croissant is my all-time favorite breakfast pastry. I still think that Flour Bakery has the best croissant in Boston, but this one is pretty darn good too. 


There is a large assortment of cookies, including chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin and various seasonal flavors. I loved the chocolate chunk cookie the size of my head. It is definitely one of the best cookies I have had in the city. 


If you visit the bakery on Saturday or Sunday, you can pick up a soft German pretzel. Don't forget to ask for a side of mustard butter. 

I also couldn't resist the homemade brioche bun filled with chocolate. The chocolate was a little bit too rich for me, but the brioche itself was really good. 


In addition to plain croissants, Clear Flour Bread also sells chocolate croissants, gruyere cheese croissants and even raspberry and apricot croissants on special occasions. My favorite was the chocolate croissant- add this one to your list of must-try pastries in Boston!

If you want to check out Clear Flour Bread, you can find more information here:

Clear Flour Bread
178 Thorndike Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...