Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies

Remember when I told you about these amazing cookies and promised to share the recipe? And, in true Emily fashion, I didn't.

Yeah, oops.  This post has been in my drafts box for three weeks.  FAIL.

February has been totally, out-of-my-mind crazy.  Between school, theater, and my body deciding to stop functioning properly, my brain's a little fried.  Deep thoughts and proper sentences are not happening.  But a picture's worth a thousand words, right? And I have lots of pictures!

So, for those of you who are just joining us, let me catch you up:  At the end of January, a few friends and I had a girl's night! We all went to my friend Charlynn's house and watch the SAG awards.  We all brought either a soup, salad, bread, or dessert to share.  I brought Asian Salad and these cookies.

Here's the original pin for the cookies:

Source: divine-baking.com via Emily on Pinterest

And a photo presentation for your enjoyment:

My first time making merengue.

For some reason, we keep the cocoa really high in my house.

You're supposed to roll the dough into balls.

Too messy for my taste.

Much better (and cleaner!)

Halfway done baking!

So good!

They got dad's seal of approval.

The finished product.

I need a better camera.  This picture doesn't do them justice. 

These were a little bit more work than your average cookie recipe, but they were so worth it! They were ever so slightly crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.  And so rich and chocolatey—Perfect with a glass of milk! But be warned, don't breathe in while eating your cookie.  I learned that the hard way. 

Another thing I really like about this recipe is that it's gluten and butter free, so my friends with those dietary restrictions could enjoy them too! 

These were a hit at SAGs night :)

Natalie, Me and Lauren

Photo Credit to Melissa at Little Mrs. Married

I wish I had remembered to take a picture of my food before I ate it all! Tomato Basic Parmesan Soup, Sausage and Lentil Soup, Caprese Salad, and Swiss Poppyseed Bread.  It was all so good.

*Fun Fact: It took me 5 tries and a google search to figure out how to spell "parmesan."

Mel and I! I borrowed a few of these pictures from her, including this one. 

Photo Credit to Melissa at Little Mrs. Married

Me, Charlynn, Lauren and Mel

Photo Credit to Melissa at Little Mrs. Married

So  silly!

Photo Credit to Melissa at Little Mrs. Married

Charlynn's dog Sophie.  I spent all evening trying to get this picture!

Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies

*Recipe found on www.divine-baking.com

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (about 9 ounces), divided
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave, stirring twice.  (About 2 minutes) Cool slightly.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a large bowl to soft peaks.  Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar.  Continue beating until mixture resembles a soft marshmallow creme.
4. Whisk 1 cups sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl to blend.  On low speed, beat dry ingredients into the meringue.
5. Stir in lukewarm chocolate and half cup chocolate chips (dough will become very stiff.) Note: My dough didn't become very stiff.  I think thick might be a better word)
6. Place 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a bowl.  Roll 1 rounded tablespoon of dough into a ball. Roll in sugar, coating thickly. Place on a prepared sheet.  Repeating with remaining dough, spacing 2 inches apart.
7. Bake until puffed and tops crack, about 10 minutes.  Cool on sheets on a rack for about 10 minutes, then place the cookies directly on the rack and let them cool completely.

Makes about 18 cookies.

Oh my goodness, I need a cookie now!