Chocolate Pick-Me-Up Cookies

These cookies are super moist and delicious. The toasted pecans give a nice crunch and the chocolate chips will satisfy any chocoholic. I made a few changes, to the original recipe in The Fearless Baker cookbook.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup pecan pieces
8 ounces dark baking chocolate-unsweetened, chopped into chunks
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Spread the pecans on a small baking sheet and place in the preheated oven. Set a timer for 10 minutes and check to see if they are light-golden brown. If not, toast for two minutes longer. Set aside to cool.

3. Melt the chocolate and butter, in a heat-proof bowl over boiling water. Don't let the bowl touch the water. Scrape the chocolate and butter and cook till they are melted thru. Once melted, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

4. Place the flour and baking powder in a small bowl. Mix and set aside.

5. with an electric mixer, mix the eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth. While the mixer is running, add the melted chocolate. Add the flour mixture and continue to mix till everything is evenly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, once or twice with the rubber spatula. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips, till just thoroughly combined.

6. Place 1-tablespoon of cookie dough, on the parchment-lined cookie sheets, two inches apart. About 12 cookies per cookie sheet.

7. Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until they've lost their sheen. Although they may seem underdone and kind of gooey, don't be tempted to cook them longer. They will set up as they cool. Remove the cookies, while still on the parchment paper and let cool on the counter. Store them in an airtight container.

Place chopped pecans on a baking sheet. Roast for about 10 minutes.

Chop the baking chocolate.

Heat the chocolate and butter, over boiling water till melted.

Remove toasted pecans from oven. Let cool.

Constantly stir the melting chocolate. Don't let it burn!

Let cool to room temperature.

Place flour and baking powder in small bowl.

Grab some sugar :)

Mix the sugar, eggs and vanilla in mixing bowl.

Mix till thoroughly combined.

With mixer running, add the melted chocolate.

Next add the flour and baking powder.

Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips.

omg

Place rounded tablespoons on a baking sheet.

So chocolatey!

Bake for about 9-11 minutes.

Let cool on counter.