Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Viennese Chocolate Pepper Cookies



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We have the Aztecs to thank for combining chocolate with chili or black pepper. They seasoned chocolate with herbs and spices for centuries before it was enhanced with sugar. Returning Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors brought chocolate and methods for seasoning it back with them to the courts of Europe. Court chefs learned that the addition of black pepper to dishes containing chocolate, enhanced the chocolate's flavor and intensity, without adding heat to the finished dish. Today's recipe is a great example of what happens when the two are combined. Although these cookies contain over a teaspoon of black pepper, its presence will be obvious to only the most discerning palates. The rest of us will enjoy a cookie that has an intense chocolate flavor that lingers on the tongue for a while after the cookie is gone. If you love chocolate, I hope you'll give these adult cookies a try. While the dough must be chilled before baking, the cookies are very easy to make. They keep well and are perfect accompaniments to afternoon tea or coffee. Bruce Weinstein developed this recipe which is an adaption of an old Viennese favorite. The cookies are delicious. Here's how they are made.

Viennese Chocolate Pepper Cookies...from the kitchen of one Perfect Bite courtesy of Bruce Weinstein

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups flour, plus additional for dusting the work surface
3/4 cup cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces cool, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (1-1/2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided use
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
1) Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
2) Using a stand mixer on medium speed, beat butter to soften, about 1 minute. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. If mixture is gritty beat an additional 2 minutes.
3) Beat in 3/4 teaspoon of pepper and all of allspice. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, just until combined.
4) Lightly dust work surface with flour and turn dough onto it. Roll into a 9-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate about 3 hours.
5) Position oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Preheat to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
6) Slice log into 1/4 inch-thick slices and place on sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 6 minutes then rotate sheets top to bottom and front to back. Bake for 6 more minutes until slightly puffed or springy to touch. Cool for 2 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
7) Mix confectioners’ sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Sift mixture over completely cooled cookies. Yield: 3 dozen cookies.







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You might also enjoy these recipes:
Triple Chocolate Cookies - Christine's Pantry
German Chocolate Cookies - Cookie Madness
Double Chocolate Cookies with Chile - She's In the Kitchen
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies - Mrs.Reguiero's Kitchen
Mexican Spiced Chocolate Cookies - The Gourmet Collection

49 comments :

Angie's Recipes said...

I am still not quite used to chillie chocolate combination, but I do enjoy the mild peppery touch in chocolate sweets. Those cookies look really tempting!

Sanjeeta kk said...

Pepper in cookies..this sounds so exciting...and the cookies look absolutely gorgeous, Mary!

Rita said...

I have always wanted to try these cookies; they must really have a special flavour.
Rita

Aldy said...

I would have never thought to add black pepper in cookies! It sounds wonderful :) And I bet they taste absolutely great. Love this post introduction, Mary.

Hugs,

Aldy.

Unknown said...

Oh Mary, these look so yummy! What an interesting recipe! I always enjoy your beautiful pictures and stories.

Anonymous said...

Oh peper cookies and than a chocolate what an invention:) Fantatsic;)

Martha said...

These look delicious as well and pepper is a good flavor with chocolate -- I had a similar ice cream flavor at Christopher Elbow's!

I did make the Mexican cookies yesterday and although odd flavor combinations of orange and anise and cinnamon the finished cookie is yummy and one that I will make again -- it's a perfect coffee (or tea) cookie!

Linda Starr said...

I love chocolate and never knew about adding pepper to enhance the flavor, something I must try, thanks for recipe.

Alessandra said...

I like them, and the idea of using pepper for the icing sugar too (I guess that what I call icing sugar you call confectioners' sugar...).

Ciao
Alessandra

Angie said...

What an amazing blog ...found you by way of 'Hook Hand and Heart' ...I will be dipping in and out to have a good read ...past and present recipes .... this is going to be even better than reading a cookery book.

Katarina said...

Sounds interesting to add pepper in cookies!

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Yesterday was anise, today is pepper...you are in a mood for spicies!!Loved th also!

Kisses,
Rita

Choclette said...

Mary, these sound divine and just my sort of biscuit. I keep meaning to try black pepper in my chocolate recipes, but have so far not managed it. I am bookmarking this recipe right now.

Cheah said...

I would love to have a bite of this cookie just to see how it will taste. Looks good!

Lynn said...

Sound like great cookies Mary, I love black pepper:@)

Clint said...

This looks wonderful. I doubt very seriously that my palate is discerning enough to detect the pepper.

Kim said...

Oh! I love chocolate and spices... I'm sure it is perfect with black pepper or any other kind of peppers. These looks really good!

JasmyneTea said...

Oh wow, this would be awesome! I love chilli with my chocolate, so I think pepper would go well. I'll have to give these a go!

A Sunflower Life said...

Just checked the pantry--I have all the ingredients to make these cookies. I'll have to give them a try since I love chocolate and I love black pepper!

Unknown said...

I love the chili and chocolate combo, but I don't know if I've had the black pepper and chocolate combo before... I can't wait to see how they taste. They look fantastic!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I have to make these right away. I love pepper cookies but have not had chocolate pepper ones before.

Diane said...

Must try these they sound fantastic. Keep well Diane

Jocie's Mom said...

Such a neat idea! Never had a black pepper cookie before :) I bet it really adds a cool depth of flavor

Kim of Mo Betta said...

Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to look around!

Unknown said...

This looks great! & tempting!
I do loves chocolate, especially the bitter one
I hope when I have a chance to try this recipe, I can taste the blackpaper ;)
Very temphing cookies! ;)

Julie said...

These sound so unique...I'll bet that pepper really adds to the flavor quite nicely :)

That Girl said...

I like the idea of hidden pepper!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Sounds delicious - the pleasures of chocolate with just a little extra bite!

Banana Wonder said...

Mmmm wow these sound so intriguing! I must make them. Yum! Thanks for the recipe.

Joanne said...

I'm thinking the pepper must elevate these from mmm to MMMM.

Chiara said...

Looks good Mary!Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! have a good day....

Manasi said...

These cookies cry out sugar, spice and everything nice!

Anonymous said...

Deliziosi questi biscotti,bravissima!!;-))
Ciao un bacio

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

These look great and just the thing to try my new Dutch process cocoa in!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

I just love adult cookies... looks wonderful, and pepper in a cookie sounds terrific

Saji said...

like the idea of using pepper with chocolate

Anonymous said...

these look excellent. I looooove pepper/spice with sweet chocolate, somehow the flavors are just perfect together.
Laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño

Vittle me this... said...

very interesting! I like the idea

Jihane @ Sinful Sundays said...

Mmmm, it's like my fave Mexican dish--mole! The cookies look great! :)

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Sounds like a wonderful cookie Mary!

Buttercup said...

Of all things, I've had visiting Vienna on my mind. These will be the next best thing to going there.

Beckis Whole Life said...

These look yummy. I imagine that the pepper in these cookies adds a lot of flavor like ginger does in a gingerbread - with a little bit of kick!

Marilyn @ Live First Write Later said...

Oh my goodness I'm so glad I've 'met' you today! I'll have to make these.

Anna said...

I love that blue willow crops up in your pictures! My mother serves everything on blue willow :D and I LOVE chili and chocolate!!!!

Erika Beth, the Messy Chef said...

Ican't wait to try this recipe! Pepper and chocolate = ooo!

Leila said...

Made these tonight. Absolutely YUMMY! A hint of a bite combined with decadent chocolate goodness.

Norma said...

I am so glad I am not your neighbor...I would probably be begging you foryour deserts and cookies.

Erika Beth, the Messy Chef said...

I made these a couple of weeks ago and I don't see where it says to add in the flour mixture. I added it after the eggs and it worked fine. Check them out: http://lifestooshorttoskipdessert.blogspot.com/2011/12/viennese-chocolate-spice-cookies.html

SCK Recipes said...

Hi, Mary ... I am so glad you stopped by my blog as it led me here. These cookies sound so delicious. And I have to say, the plate they are on is gorgeous! Have a wonderful day and thank you for sharing =))

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