Chef John's Chili Chocolate Cookies

Just like adding a pinch of salt to dessert recipes makes them even sweeter and more delicious, the addition of pepper in this cookie really makes the chocolate even more chocolaty. The cookies aren't really spicy, but you can definitely tell something strange and wonderful is happening.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 272 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dried currants
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua®)
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 3

Heat currants and coffee liqueur in a saucepan over low heat until it begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

Combine unsweetened chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and butter in bowl. Place bowl on top of a saucepan filled with 1-inch of water set over low heat. Stir chocolate mixture occasionally until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

Mix flour, black pepper, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in large bowl and set aside.

Step 6

Whisk sugar and eggs in a small bowl until light, fluffy, and pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture.

Step 7

Fold flour mixture into sugar and chocolate mixture until combined.

Step 8

Stir in dark chocolate chips and liqueur-soaked currants.

Step 9

Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are almost set, about 12 minutes.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and leave on baking sheets to cool, 5 minutes.

Step 12

Transfer to cooling rack and allow to finish cooling, 5 minutes.