Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
Do you dunk your cookies in milk? I don’t, but my husband does, and though I’ve never given much thought to this tiny difference in tastes it was all I could think about last night while we were enjoying the outrageous chocolate cookies shown here. With only 81 days left (!) until our due date I couldn’t help wondering whether our baby, once he’s old enough, will prefer to dunk cookies like his daddy or eat them separately like me. Then this morning, as I was eating cereal, I thought about how I eat my cereal right after cold milk is added to the bowl, lest I lose an ounce of crunch. My husband, on the other hand, lets his cereal sit for at least 10 minutes so that it has a chance to get mushy. Personally I think his treatment of cereal is a little scandalous – but what if our son one day shares this proclivity? I’d be outnumbered in the crunchy vs. mushy food debate that’s been raging in our household for the past eight years.
Pregnancy has been such an eye-opening experience, ranging everywhere from amusing to a little sad, at times. (Mood swings!) The other day I was at work and the parent of one of my students revealed to me how, apparently, there had been much talk about whether I was pregnant or merely indulging in baked goodies too much. “Oh yea, all the moms were talking about it,” he told me, “No one wanted to ask you!” Thankfully my belly “popped” a few weeks ago and I now look definitely pregnant – not like a foodblogger who’s gone off the deep end. 
The picture to the right is me at 24 weeks, which was one month ago.
My 3rd graders have also had priceless reactions to the news that I’m expecting. When I told the class, one of the boys exclaimed “Ohhhh! I thought you had gas!” and then he started mimicking how cartoon characters balloon up when they blow on their thumbs. But the BEST conversation I’ve had in terms of making me laugh was with my Nana, who felt it necessary to break the news to me at 27 weeks pregnant that the stork won’t be delivering our baby. “Mija, it’s time someone told you that a bird won’t be bringing the baby to your house. It has to come out of you, and not through your belly button! Ok?” Thankfully that bit of shocking news was covered in the last chapters of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.”
But pregnancy has also gotten me a little down at times, because it’s made me realize just how isolating the whole experience can be. Not a feeling I was expecting, but like all the pregnancy books say: blame hormones.
Now, getting back to the cookies, let me just say that they are worthy of their name and were just the thing to satisfy my chocolate hankering last night. Made with oodles of semisweet chocolate, vanilla and light-brown sugar I ate two of them just out of the oven, while the insides were still delectably gooey. My husband gobbled up two of them as well, dunking his in cold milk while I looked on and wondered which of our habits will become a part of our little one’s character. I can’t wait to find out.
Don’t forget about the November book giveaway! And remember that, “as with most fine things, chocolate has its season. There is a simple memory aid that you can use to determine whether it is the correct time to enjoy chocolate: any month whose name contains the letter A, E, or U is the proper time for chocolate.”
Chocolate quote from Sandra Boynton.
Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
Slightly adapted from this Martha Stewart recipe / Makes 18-24 cookies
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, leveled
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks or chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until almost melted; do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
If the cookie dough is very loose (which mine was), chill it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes, covered, before proceeding to the next step.
Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely. (Or eat them warm while the insides are still gooey!)
83 Responses to “Outrageous Chocolate Cookies”
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You’ve got the blogging community wishing you well with your pregnancy; who needs extended family?
So glad that everything is going well with the baby! These cookies look amaaaazzziingg. And for the record I like eating my cereal immediately after adding milk too- though I do like a cookie dunked (briefly) in milk.
Oooh, these cookies look so good. I’m sure I’d be washing them down with milk (but not dunking; the only ones I dunk are crispy gingersnaps in tea sometimes). Bookmarking this one!
Chocolate cookies and milk sounds perfect to me. And you need all the extra calcium.
good luck with EVERYTHING!!
The Stork DOESN’T bring babies!!!???
Oh, reading your post made me a little sad. I’m so happy you have your parents though…and a big circle of blogging friends too.
And just so you know…I hate mush too. Cereal needs to be eaten immediately and cookies should be eaten WITH milk and not IN milk…..
I am with you. I need to immediately eat my cereal after the milk is poured…if too many seconds have past…I just can’t eat it.
The cookies look delicious. I don’t usually dunk cookies because again I like the crunch…but I have to confess to trying it a few times just to see what the fuss was about.
Yep, I was always a dunker
Hang in there!! If you ever need extra support, feel free to email me.
Those cookies look amazing! I will definitely be making a batch.
Oh, and I also like my cereal nice and crunchy. I don’t dunk my cookies either, unless they are Oreos or biscotti.
Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy. Just remember that it isn’t the number of people who love and support you that is important, it is the quality of the love and support that you do receive.
I tried to find your registry but couldn’t – is it listed under your name?
You are so sweet to look! Yes, it is listed under my name, Ariela Pelaia. There is also a link to it in the lefthand sidebar, near the top, under the baby ticker.
I’ve never really had good experiences with chocolate cookies. These look so cool and crinkly!
I with you on the cereal and cookies, I’m not a fan of mush.
I know how you will about being pregnant and not having family care. I have three kids and it was the same with all three. No calls, no cards, no congrats…nothing.
In the end it doesn’t matter it’s their lose. You have your husband and your blogging friends, babies are more fun than baby showers anyway!!
My DH would absolutely love this!
Those cookies look fabulous and so tempting!
That is a great picture of you! You look so beautiful, happy, radiant and fit!
Cheers,
Rosa
I wouldn’t rule out the baby shower just yet… you never know what your friends might be cooking up!
You look great, by the way.
Those cookies look amazing… I wish I had eggs in the house so I could make them RIGHT. NOW. Also, I am not a cookie dunker either– too mushy!
I like that plate… what does the beginning part say?
Thanks! I’ve been trying to stay reasonably fit… it’s been hard lately though because I’m hungry all the time, lol.
The plate says: “Drink your coffee in a decent way (don’t forget you are an adult) then lick the chocolate leftovers to keep the child in you forever.”
After browsing the comments for this post it seems like you have a lot of support! And I agree with you on the cereal, and cookies issue. Although for some reason i love cookies dunked in tea! These cookies look like they will go wonderfully with a cup of irish breakfast.
These look SO good. I have the house to myself tonight so no one will be around to know if I bake a batch and eat them all myself…
I’m on the fence, dunk-wise. It depends on my mood and the cookies in question.
Oh wow these sound so good (and the pic makes them look even better). I wish I wasn’t trying to lose weight before the holidays….maybe I can make them *for* the holidays instead?
Sending you hugs, because sometimes cookies just aren’t enough…
I’m glad people are emailing you about this ridiculus post. Your married, have a job and can pay your bills. I can’t believe how selfish and self-centered you are!! Why should your family care that your having a baby? YOU are NOT the CENTER of their universe. Get over yourself. (And that includes taking your registries off the sidebar, as if anyone here cares about what you need for your baby. Stick to baking sweetie.)
I’m going to leave your comment here since you keep resubmitting it every time I delete it.
I don’t think you’re being very fair though and by putting the registries on the sidebar I’m by no means expecting people to get us something. I just wanted to share the experience of preparing for a little one, as well as all the cute things we’ve been looking at. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
What a mean person this is. This poor woman is sharing one of the most exciting experiences of anyone’s lives, having a baby, with a community of strangers and you leave such a hateful note on her post. Just don’t read her blog. Why does there always have to be one person who wants to add a touch of negativity to everything.
Ari,
I love your recipes (the pumpkin lattes are my favorite right now) and I love your writing. You look beautiful in this picture. As a woman in my early 30′s who has not yet had the chance of having my own baby, I thank you for sharing your experience.
Ariela, those cookies look delicious! Thank you
Also, you look so beautiful being pregnant – I hope I look as good as you one day! :p And you have every right to feel blue…but regardless, you have so much wonderfulness to look forward to 
Hang in there, you’re awesome!
I’m sorry you’re getting negative comments – especially since you recognize that in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t that big of a deal! Admitting to feeling a bit blue at times is just fine. You look wonderful and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! I’m exactly a week behind you
I am a cookie queen & a chocoholic – I will guarantee I will try this recipe! I also have Martha’s Cookies cookbook, mmm. My mom got it for me. And I will be an honorary aunt for your little boy
I have pics to scan/post on FB of Peter, btw. Also, you can add me to the crunchy side – mush makes me gag! I pour *just* enough milk into my cereal to get a mild milk into it – or sometimes I eat it dry! I like my Oreos with milk or dry, though I will eat them mushy, Oreos are some weird addiction, I don’t know what it is. Love to you both!
These remind me of the Better Than Brownie Cookies I blogged about a while back. Every time I make them, they get great reviews!
Good luck with your baby!
)
You by no means should even pay attention to “NZ” and any other hateful comments. Being pregnant is *hard* and not all sunshine and roses. This is your site, and your soapbox, and it isn’t anyone’s place to determine what you should put on it. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers going your way that you realize how many of us out here are there for you and quite excited about the baby. Oh, and the cookies too!
Ari you are looking fabulous. And the cookies look amazing.
Ignore the negative comments like NZ’s. I don’t know why some people have the opinion you are only allowed to feel blue if you are poor, disadvantaged or sick. We all suffer from those feelings from time to time, regardless of our circumstances.
Ignore NZ’s comment. Someone’s been munching on lemons!
Love your site, recipes, comments and stories! Keep it up.:)
Oh honey, you go on ignoring those negative people. As others have said, pregnancy is hard. And honestly, it’s great that people in the blogosphere are over joyed with your baby but I can totally see where you’re coming from about your family. Personally, I don’t think you should have crossed out your paragraph and if some jerks can’t appreciate you not being a robot who’s happy 24-7, they need to get a reality check. And probably stop reading your website since it *is* your personal website and not theirs. (((hugs))) Can not wait to see the baby photos! You guys are going to be awesome parents and I can’t wait to see the influences that the little one will bring to this site.
keep your chin up honey!
I like to dunk mine in my coffee, biscuts are really good dunked too! photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
First of all, you look great! Pregnancy agrees with you! And those cookies look like you called them- outrageous!
Darlin,
First off this is YOUR blog- you put on it what YOU want. If somebody isn’t happy about you having a registry on the blog they can a) ignore it or b) stop reading your blog. That may sound harsh, but do you really want them luring around with their negativity?
If you have extended family that check your blog, having the registry on your blog may be a great way for them to keep up with WHAT you need- that is SO hard long distance (been there and got THAT t-shirt).
Secondly, it’s YOUR pregnancy, if you’re blue and want to vent, VENT. That’s why you have a blog- to vent and allow your readers to give you love back to make you not blue anymore.
Really- isn’t there info negativity going around? Stop attacking people, let her vent if she wants, because it’s HER blog. People just need to go make these cookies (we always called them the chunks of love)and CHILL out!
HUGS
I can’t believe you were getting negative feeback via email – how rude! God if you can’t have a vent when you are pregnant then when can you??
And I am a cookie dipper – except I hate having crumbs at the bottom of the glass of milk.
Oh, those cookies look like they would be perfect in milk! And don’t worry if you get down sometimes. It happens when you’re pregnant.
These cookies look so fabulous that I’m off to the store to get the chocolate!
Best wishes with the baby.
I was completely addicted to Sarris chocolate when I was pregnant, yummy. I just ordered their solid chocolate turkeys to use for our Thanksgiving centerpiece. These cookies will go great with it! Sarris Turkeys
While I maintain there are very few truly original recipes, it bothers me that so many are claimed by or attributed to Martha Stewart. These cookies, originally called Chocolate Globs, were developed at the Soho Charcuterie in the early 1970′s. As a chef, I love your blog and sincerely appreciate how you, unlike so many others, give credit to your source.
Great photo of you, and great photo of the cookies. They sound fabulous!
I’m with the “you can’t ALWAYS be happy” school of thought!
Oooo…i like soggy cereal, especially raisin bran! you’re such a cute preggo…have fun with it!
These look soo good! They’d be sooo good with a glass of milk- I don’t dip cookies tho XP Drinking is good for me ^^
I am joining the chorus of those who are wishing you well. You look radiant and those cookies look divine!!
Found your blog a while back when I googled on chai ice cream recipes — checked it this morning when I was sending the link on to a friend. Love the looks of those chocolate cookies, that may be just the thing for this evening (and maybe I’ll hide a few so that I can take them with me on a trip later this week).
Like others, I am amazed at people like NZ who think they have the right to be judgmental about basic human emotions (not to mention the hormone circus that most women experience during pregnancy) — and that everytime you tried to delete the post, they just reposted. Ignore, ignore, ignore.
Feel what you feel, enjoy your family that cares. We all face challenges and you sound like you are handling them just fine.
BTW, thanks for the chai ice cream recipe, too!
You look great! Ignore the negative comments. Some people need to just get a life. The cookies look like they’d be great for a serious chocolate attack. I know my husband would LOVE them. thanks for sharing!
I’m not a dunker myself; in fact I might even add some chopped nuts to this recipe to make it even more cruncy!
love the quote….
No. 1 You look gorgeous!
No. 2 The cookies look amazing! (No dunking for me, please.)
No. 3 Family is the number one priority in my book! I didn’t get to be there when both of my grandchildren were born because my daughter and her husband had to move to Denver for work. They and the kids moved back six years ago which means the world to me. Having your Nana still with you is a special gift to treasure. I’m happy for you that you have her and your parents there. It’s only natural for you to be sad if other family members aren’t as close.
No. 4 People like NZ set me off. But he or she will probably end up alone with that attitude – what worse fate could there be?
Pregnancy and child rearing is such a special time in a family’s life and you are doing great. For some reason–possible jealousy–there are some people who can’t be happy for others who are. ENJOY every minute that you can because the time passes so fast and each stage brings its own special joys and, yes, occasionally sadness. Ignore those negative comments and as others have said, it is your blog and you post on it what you want. I don’t know why anyone would read something that they objected to so much or why anyone would say such hateful things to someone who brings cheer and pleasure to so many. I pity that person.
I can never understand the dunking thing either! Nor the seeping cereal in milk till it gets mushy! That just seems too gross to me!
The cookies look amazing! I am going to make these soon, for sure!
Great cookies which are so appealing. You look wonderful and I enjoyed the post today.
You can’t go wrong with lots of chocolate. Cute photo!
Congrats on hitting double digits in days left! Isn’t it crazy when you reach that point? I just reached 28 work days left until my due date! Ack! (Of course, that’s over 40 actual days, but STILL!) It’s so nice to read someone else speculating about the little things. Everyone I talk to wants to know if I think the baby is a boy or a girl (we’re being surprised), and what color eyes I think the baby will have, or how tall he/she will be. But, my wonderings are much more along the lines of your “dunking cookies or not?” (Although, I’m also now VERY curious about the boy/girl question–not that I’d give up the surprise for anything!). I hope you are feeling well and enjoying your third trimester!
Definitely ignore the negative emails. I’ve found that being pregnant really brings our the best or the worst in families. It’s like the happiness and excitement of a new life heightens the existing strained relationships. Doesn’t it feel great to finally look pregnant. I celebrated the week I went from looking like I just gained a lot of weight to looking like I was carrying a baby.
hi..just came across ur site..love the recipes
Ari, you look beautiful. My family was 3000 miles away when I raised my kids and I often felt alone, but the upside was that I had an unually close connection with my husband and children, one that lasts to today. I know you’ll be ok, and if you get lonely or feel the need for support you have wonderful blog-friends out here who will try to lift your spirits. Question… you are a Jewish educator and your nana calls you Mija? I thought that was an Hispanic nickname… where am I coming from??: Either way, you are a beautiful person and everthing will be great…just sleep now before little one comes… it might be a while after that!
Yes, I’m a Jewish Educator (and Jewish) but I’m Mexican by heritage (I converted to Judaism back in 2004). Mystery solved!
I totally side with you on the Mushy vs. Crunchy debate. Although I think it’s the best of both worlds to eat a bite of crunchy cookie and then have a sip of cold milk!
I think that these cookies look very delicious!
These cookies remind me of the absolutely deep dark chocolate fudge cookies from the Death by Chocolate cookbook. They were the ones I used to bribe one of my apartment mates into doing dishes. I think I will have to make both of these and do a taste off. Yum!
Well *I* am certainly excited about your wee one. I love babies – mine and everyone else’s! You look adorable.
The cookies look fantastic. And in our house there is no other appropriate drink along with them than milk!
No stork? You mean I’m going to have to push this baby out of my pregnant belly? Why didn’t someone TELL ME?!?
I’m starting to come out of the morning sickness phase and food is finally starting to appeal to me again… and these cookies look better than anything I’ve had in weeks.
I’m glad you’re feeling better! This cookies would definitely be a good way to re-enter the world of no morning sickness.
These look heavenly!
And congrats on getting closer to your due date! A bundle of joy is gonna leap right into your hands before you know it! Congratulations!
I sniffed a little. *hug* I’m SO happy for you, Joy! I wish you guys and the new expected arrival all the best.
And yummy cookies! Adopt me!
you are one beautiful mama
Hope you will be able to keep up with this site after the little one comes I always look forward to your post
Oh you look so cute…and those cookies look yummy!
I prefer my chocolate cookies (as I do my cheesecake) unadulterated by any foreign substance. Well, maybe coffee to drink, maybe. Some things should be savored for what they are. I have a feeling these cookies likely are in that catagory. The kids are coming for Thanksgiving; I’ll know for sure soon.
I’m not much for dunking but gotta have a glass of cold milk along side the cookies , please! Those chocolate cookies look yummy.
Your autumnal site design looks fab! As do those cookies…
I hope your happy pregnancy moments outnumber your sad ones, Ari, by far.
I don’t usually dunk cookies, but I used to have a flat-mate who dunked EVERYTHING in coffee or milk–cookies, cake, panettone, toast, biscuits, etc. Often there were soggy crumbs in the bottoms of all his cups. Eww.
Totally on your side here – mushy is gross and all those crumbs floating in your drink – disgusting.
Mmmmm…these cookies look fabulous! I’m like you…I prefer my cereal crunchy and my cookies and milk separate. Only time will tell about your baby’s preference! SO EXCITING!!!
Thank-you for your site. I found it about a month ago and it is now the first place I look for new recipes to try…those cookies are now at the top of my list!
Why can’t everyone love babies? I for one, will be waiting to see lots of pictures of the little fella.
i like the new layout. funny stories about people thinking you were a foodblogger gone off the deep end! lovely picture.
I just wanted to share my view on the count. I am a dunk ofor like 2 seconds and eat the cereal right away type person. However, my husband goes as far as putting cake in a bowl and pouring a glass of milk on it, then eating in with a spoon. I had never heard of this till I moved to IN. I think its a little gross, all mushy n stuff. Any who, I was wondering why you added more flour. Does that help do certain things to the cookie?
I added more flour and baking powder because I wanted a fluffier, puffier cookie. It also helped with the batter, which was very loose (too loose to spoon onto the baking sheet) even with the additional flour. Hence, my addition of chilling time in the fridge.
I prefer not to dunk, as I generally end up losing the cookie in the milk. And since I like hot coffee with my cookies, I would end up with a melted mess.
PS The cookies look amazingly decadent!
wow…I came to simply enter the roast a lamb/chocolate book contest and wound up following recipes. I got to the post about you worrying about you amnio and how it came back OK and cried. then I had to find out if you had the baby and that’s how I got here…to see gorgeous chocolate yummy cookies but better than that is your picture looking adorable and cute and pregnant…so my guess is you are due fairly soon? I came to enter the lamb/choco book contest to try and win for my daughter-in-law and hadn’t been here before and now definitely will be back. She is expecting our first grand child in April, a boy, and we are going to visit them over Christmas and can’t wait to see her and my son and her tummy! Congratulations and keep your feet up..you teach school as well…I did it for 37 years and when I was pregnant with my baby who will be a daddy soon himself..sorry to ramble…your story inspired me! Take care!
I’ve been enjoying your site for over a year now but I hadn’t felt compelled to post until today…I’m sorry you’re feeling isolated and like your family isn’t excited about your pregnancy. I know exactly how that feels and it isn’t pleasant. You’re a beautiful pregnant lady and I love your recipes. Thanks and keep up the good work!
These definitely look very chocolatey.
Ari, I like you stories. Kids are a riot. Congrats with this one!
My DH would really love these cookies!
Can’t wait to make these cookies!
As for being pregnant, it was one of the most tiring, scariest, most wonderful times in my life. There are often pretty bad mood swings after pregnancy, too, so hang in there!
There are definite ups and downs to being pregnant, but for me, at least, all I remember are the ups. My little baby just turned two last weekend and every day just gets better.
I’ve always been a chocoholic, and now that I read that chocolate is healthy, I’m an avid chocolate eater without the guilt. These cookies look so scrumptuous . I’ve copied the recipe and will let you know how I did recreating them.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mmmm…those look good!
)
The only cookies I like to dunk (in tea) are ginger snaps…and then, only a quick nano second dunk!