Monday, November 2, 2009

Bittersweet Chocolate Snowballs - Blue Monday


Photobucket Creative Commons

A forest snowfall in blue light.



Bittersweet Chocolate Snowballs



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I needed a recipe to tie in with a photo I wanted to share with you today. The closest I could come was a recipe for snowballs - chocolate snowballs. In some areas of the country these are called crinkles. This recipe is an adaption of one developed by Martha Stewart. These fudgy morsels are a delight and the only problem you will have is limiting the number of them you eat. I use three types of chocolate in my version of the recipe. I also replace vanilla with hazelnut extract. The recipe is quite simple to make, but you'll have to build wait time into your schedule. The cookie dough needs to sit for at least 2 hours before baking. I actually make it the night before I plan to shape and bake the cookies. The cookie dough is quite loose when it is first mixed, but a long chill will allow you to shape the cookies with a minimum of mess. I think you like this version of an old favorite. Here's the recipe.

Bittersweet Chocolate Snowballs...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/3 cups light-brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon hazelnut or vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk
1 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 cup confectioners' sugar (for rolling)

Directions:
1) In a medium size bowl whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
2) In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
3) Add eggs and hazelnut extract; beat until well combined. Add melted chocolate and beat until blended.
4) With mixer on low speed, alternate adding flour mixture and milk until just combined.
5) Divide the dough into quarters, wrapping each with plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator until firm, about 2 hours.
6) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners. Place each sugar in a separate shallow dish.
7) Remove portions of cookie dough from refrigerator one quarter at a time. Divide dough into 16 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and then in confectioners' sugar to coat completely. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
8) Bake, one cookie sheet at a time, until cookies flatten and tops form cracks, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place baking sheets on wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container, between layers of parchment or wax paper for up to 1 week. Yield: 5 dozen cookies.


This post is being linked to:

Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

75 comments :

Anne Fannie said...

I love that blue scenery picture!
These snowballs look and sound so yummy. Thanks for the recipe!

Happy Blue Monday!

~Ann

Coleens Recipes said...

GREAT photos, thanks for sharing!!

Regina said...

Lovely post!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Mary!

The sowball recipe looks like a nice one to make for our Christmas cookie exchange! Thank you for the recipe. I try to add a couple of new cookies each year and I don't have a chocolate cookie recipe, well, not until now anyway! :)

That picture is absolutely stunning! I think I would buy that picture if it was framed.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Deb in Hawaii said...

I grew up with them as chocolate crinkles and they are one of my favorites--Yum!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a gorgeous blue landscape, Mary! It looks like a lovely Christmas card. That blue really beckons you to enter, and those snowballs... are off my diet but look positively decadent. I'll take a baker's dozen. ;-)

Happy Blue Monday...

XO,

Sheila

Katy ~ said...

Beautiful snow scene, blue chill in the air, most certain, but captivating.

Chocolate snowballs look and sound so delicious. Sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Jamie said...

Gorgeous photo! Wow! And I've made crinkles once and wow are they good. I love the changes you made too. Beautiful!

Chubskulit Rose said...

That's a tasty entry! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Check out my daughter's Swing adventure.

SmilingSally said...

There's something special about blue and white. I love that picture. Happy Blue Monday.

Anonymous said...

A great recipe right now -picture is beautiful.
vickie

Martha said...

What a beautiful picture --

And the cookies look yummy as well!

xinex said...

Your photos are very pretty, Mary and the snowballs looks so good....Christine

My Little Space said...

Such a gorgeous photo! Love it and as well as the chocolate snowball. hmm...mmm... it's in my list to do lol! Thanks, Mary.

George Gaston said...

Mary that is an amazing blue forest photograph, especially the lower part with the reflection of the tree upon the pond. And your bittersweet snowballs look so inviting. I am definitely going to put this recipe on my Christmas cookie list. Many thanks…

NKP said...

Mmm, I'm waiting for you to look the other way so I can pop three in my mouth!
They look perfect. How did you change the background?

EJ said...

I like how you put the white table mat which accentuates the blue color..

Check out the Senior and Junior in our clan..

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Mmmmm, Mary, those Snowballs look so yummy. Lovely scenery too. Happy Blue Monday.

Blessings,
Sandi

Lea Ann said...

Fabulous photos! The cookies look so perfect - and delicious!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Natashya, I varied the hue in photobucket.

Marice said...

love the first photo :) and that crinkles look yummy!

u may view mine if u have time

Carrie said...

Stunning wintry photos!

Foodiewife said...

Beautiful tranquility in that photo. The cookies are just beautiful. These would be lovely on a Christmas cookie tray.

noble pig said...

These are one of my favorite kinds of cookies.

Dee said...

wow mary! those pictures are so calming, i love it :) I so needed something serene to start off my day!

bj said...

Oh, dear...Mary, this sounds a lot like the bittersweet cake I made last week.
Your blue forest is so pretty.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

What a gorgeous BLUE scene! And your beautiful cookies look so tempting today! Some of my favorites! So glad you stopped by, Mary. Always love hearing from you and learning more about cooking and baking! Blessings for a great week! Coralie

Claudia said...

I think I got just got "centered" this morning looking at the gorgeous photo, After Halloween, i thought I wouldn't need chocolate for awhile - but I think looking at your photo and recipe - I do! Delicious!

claudie said...

As long as the snowballs don't fly around here...it's getting colder and colder by the week.
Lovely post and maybe a cookie for Xmas? YUMMY
Happy Blue Monday
Love Claudie
xoxo

Becky K. said...

Wonderful post!! Love these cookies and the beautiful picture.

Becky K.

Heather S-G said...

Wow, that's a gorgeous picture!! And know what...I put chocolate snowballs on my christmas try every year...I love them! Yours looks delectable :D

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

amazing... Love the photo, and the recipe sound decadent... great post

Lauren said...

Absolutely gorgeous! That first photo is stunning & the snowballs look delicious as well =D.

Queen B. said...

GORGEOUS.
HAPPY BLUE MONDAY:)

Ann said...

Lovely picture with a mouth watering recipe :)

Gaby said...

beautiful photo - and those chocolate snowballs look too good to be true!

gengen said...

Oh Like the first picture very colorful blue then the goodies hmm can i have some? Happy blue Monday.

Shy said...

Hi Mary, I always look forward every blue monday your yummylicious recipe and stunning blue.

Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday to you.

tracy said...

Beautiful blue photo.
The snowball cookie recipe looks yummy,the more and diffrent types of chocolate the better!
Gracie

Karen @ Elsie Eleanor Designs said...

I love the picture! So pretty! The cookies look very yummy! My daughter loves to bake so I think she may try to make your snowball cookies for Christmas.

Happy Blue Monday!

Maria Berg said...

Pink soufflé - I have never mad soufflé.
But this weekend I did take a lot of photo of the food I med for our guests so next friday I will have some food for foodie friday.

I did not know about that chef hat before.
Snowball cake interesting and I love the photo and if I did understand it right it is not you how took it - fine anyway.

I want to do Trick or Teat at you please and I will come as a child I want the chocolate, please.

The bread look like a bone in it - fun. MB

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

The first picture made me shiver, it looked so cold. Your snowballs look and sound delicious.

Iris

The Blonde Duck said...

I like that they're called crinkles. That's cute!

Pam said...

Both my husband and daughter would really love these rich and delicious cookies.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Hi Maria, you asked about the photos. I took the photos of the cookies but the image of the forest in the snow with blue light is a picture that is available under the terms of Creative Commons licensing. It's a beauty isn't it?

Barbara said...

I think bittersweet is delicious! Like it so much better than milk chocolate so I will soon be making your cookies! I even use bittersweet morsels when making chocolate chip cookies.
I'm so impressed with your beautiful photographs!

Unknown said...

GREAT!!! photo and the recipe for the chocolate snowballs is an add bonus. I love chocolate!!!
Geri

Knitty said...

Oh my, but those cookies look scrumptious! I am printing that recipe now. Thanks!

pigpigscorner said...

They are so pretty! Amazing pictures.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary! Oh, that first snowy looking picture is so beautiful!
Those snowballs look so delicious! You're always cooking up something wonderful!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Alessandra said...

Ciao Mary, thank you for taking time to answer to my salmon question.

Wow, I can hardly keep up with your posting, you are so prolific and everything is so professional! Complimenti again.

Alessandra

Debbie said...

I'm afraid to think of how many of these I could eat....they look GOOD!

Hootin Anni said...

Mmmmmmmm, I've made these and I take delight in the pleasure they bring. Yum!!!

That 'blue' scene' is icy cold yet serene. Does that make any sense? LOL, it does for me.

Hope your Monday afternoon and evening brings you peace dear Mary.

Erica (Irene) said...

Mary....

Thank you for your sweet note.
I love the blue scenery picture.
Those snowballs look real delicious,thanks for sharing the recipe.

Erica :-)

Unknown said...

In my family we call these chocolate crackle cookies. My mom didn't make them last year, and I was very disappointed.

Velva said...

Those photo bucket photos are just stunning! Those crinkle cookies look amazing too! I could easily finish up a baking sheet of those treats in no time. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.

Ladynred said...

That snowballs looks yummy!

Cathy said...

My mother used to make these when I was a little girl. Always a favorite in my family. Lovely photo, Mary.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Wow! That photo is stunning! Very pretty! And the recipe sounds delicious! I'm going to come back over when I get time and peruse your blog for more great recipes! I need some for the upcoming Holidays! ~Rhonda :)

Thanks for visiting my blog earlier and the sweet comments! :)

jeanne said...

Hi Mary, love that gorgeous blue snowfall photo. Now there is something right up my alley. I love making cookies, especially for Christmas. I am very elaborate in my cookie baking. This looks delicious. My sisters will love a new recipe. We five sisters and friends always bake cookies for Christmas. tons of them and then share. We love to have a variety and we are always adding something new. I will wow them with this one.

Thank you my wonderful cooking and baking friend. You are my mentor even though your dedication is way more than mine. BIG smile here.

Have a wonderful evening.

Hugs, Jeanne

Carly said...

Wow, that looks and sounds amazing! You have so much creativity! I am sure that your family loves your cooking!

Carly said...

Looks and sounds amazing! I am sure that I would have a hard time eating just one too!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Mary, these snow balls are wonderful. I've grown accustomed to dark chocolate so I know I would love these.
Sam

Christy said...

Beautiful photos!! Those snowballs sound so chocolaty good! Perfect for the upcoming holiday baking season!

Toyota Pittsburgh said...

There is a chocolate company here in Pittsburgh with the most amazing baking chocolate. From boxed chocolates and peanut brittle to sugar free candy and chocolate covered pretzels, Sarris Candies offers a wide variety of premier chocolates.
www.sarriscandies.com

Kathleen said...

Pass the cookies, please...They look wonderful, Mary...
Do they stay soft inside , or are they crunchy?

Lori said...

These have to be one of my favorite kinds of cookies. Add some mint and even more so. SO I would make these exactly except skip the hazelnut and add mint. Although I certainly wouldnt turn down the hazelnut and chocolate variety!

That picture is just gorgous. Really Mary if you ever sell your prints as notecards, I would like this one and a couple of some of the others you have psoted.

Jean Stockdale said...

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my post about my Blue Monday pictures. They are of my youngest son and grandson. We think they are both adorable. How fun to watch my children parent their children!

I love your pictures. You turn food into an event!! What a gift. Blessings.

storyteller said...

Beautiful blue wintry scene you found to share with your delicious looking cookies. I could do with one about now. I'm at computor class waiting for the instructor to begin ... making the most of the minutes I have because I've been away from home most of the day and wasn't around much during the weekend either. Guess I'll be playing catch up all week. Thanks for you visits ;-)
Hugs and blessings,

Unknown said...

Mary these look terrific! I make these at christmas time and we call these crinkles. Now I want to make christmas cookies and listen to some christmas tunes. :)

Jo said...

The chocolate snowballs look yummy and just reminded that Christmas is not too far away!

Zurin said...

those snowballs sound and look really yum....i must put this on my to do list...i love chocolate and anything chocolate so this is a must because it looks soo very pretty too. tq for sharing :))

joyh82 said...

Wow that first photo was amazing but the next two really made me hungry ;) Happy Blue Monday!

Sandy said...

As I've been looking for recipes on google and I seen the photo & I knew I had to add you.I had to write this recipe down.Why?I got bittersweet chocolate & unsweet chocolate that I'm gonna use after the first of the year.Thank you for sharing the recipe.

turmericnspice said...

love love love the pix of the trees and snow .....lovely bittersweet snowballs !!

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