Christmas Card

One of our friends gave us a Christmas card which included a recipe for Black Forest Cookies from the Martha Stewart magazine. They're quite good, and intensely chocolate. This is the recipe (my version, and Martha's version).

1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled .............................2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder ............................................................ 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar................................................................ 1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs.................................................................................... 1 1/2 cups dried cherries
1 package (about 12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks



1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder; and salt; set aside.
2. Place chopped chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth.
3. Remove from heat; whisk in sugars, then eggs, until smooth.
4. Whisk in dry ingredients just until combined (do not overmix).
5. Fold in chocolate chunks and dried cherries; press plastic wrap directly onto surface of dough,
6. Refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.

7. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Drop mounds of dough (equal to 2 level tablespoons) about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheets.
9. Bake just until edges are firm (but not darkening), 11 to 13 minutes.
10. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.