It’s Jodi vs. Martha time again!
It’s been awhile since I last attempted one of Martha Stewart’s admittedly excellent recipes, but Martha caught me in her net yet again with her “Martha Stewart Cookie of the Day” email about Black Forest Cookies.

Three kinds of chocolate? Butter? CHERRIES? I’m in.

This is the original recipe as it appears on Martha’s website. My notes are in italics.

Black Forest Cookies

Makes 36

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

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
(Martha makes a rare misstep here. If you turn on your oven first, it will be running throughout not only the combination of ingredients, but also the 30-45 minute refrigeration time.)

 Line three baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder; and salt; set aside.
Place chopped chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth.

Here’s my set up:

Remove from heat; whisk in sugars, then eggs, until smooth.

Whisk in dry ingredients just until combined (do not overmix).
Fold in chocolate chunks and dried cherries; press plastic wrap directly onto surface of dough, and refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.

(NOW heat up your oven to 350 degrees!)

Drop mounds of dough (equal to 2 level tablespoons) about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheets.

Bake just until edges are firm (but not darkening), 11 to 13 minutes.

Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
(I just drag the whole parchment sheet onto the wire rack.)


These cookies above are still warm and therefore shiny.

The Comparison:

Martha’s Cookies:

Jodi’s Cookies:

Yes, I do have Skelanimals napkins! Thanks for noticing!

These cookies were a HUGE hit at the Kasten home!
They combine everything that is wonderful about cookies, cake and brownies into something very portable.
They are very soft and gooey with extreme chocolate flavor.
The tangy bite of the cherries heightens the chocolate flavor without being sickeningly sweet.
This is a real daredevil of a chocolate recipe. It is decadent and delicious.
Highly recommended and Pudge-approved!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please visit my foodie blog at www.EatJax.com - where every day is Foodie Tuesday!

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Images:
Original recipe & Martha’s cookie – www.marthastewart.com
all other photos copyright © 2010 by jodi a. kasten • all rights reserved