I firmly believe that there are two types of bakers in the world… the “lickers” and the “scrape it clean”ers. I will admit, I am a licker. I think I consume the majority of the calories when I am baking from the dough and batter, typically preferring that to the finished product. My kiddos always have a good amount of cookie and cake batter to consume when they are helping me in the kitchen. They look forward to it and if there isn’t any, I have a riot on my hands.
I grew up in a “licker” house. My sisters are lickers, my mom is a licker and even my grandma was a licker. My mother-in-law is a “scrape it clean”er. If you think you are going to even get a smidgen of a taste of whatever she is baking before it is baked, you’ve got another thing coming to you. I don’t know how she does it. I can’t resist a taste of the dough or the batter, but she scrapes, scrapes, scrapes until the bowl is as clean as it would be if she just took it out of the dishwasher.
I dare any proclaimed “scrape it clean”er to try this cookie recipe without a sample of the batter. Mmmmmm… especially after it has been in the fridge and chilled… it is just like biting into a rich piece of chocolate fudge.
I found this cookie recipe to be delicious, batter and finished product. Although I loved the chocolate ganache, the thin chocolate chewy wafers were just as good without it. “Licker” or “Scrape it clean”er….whatever you are…you won’t have to go far to find a volunteer to gobble these decadent treats up!
Triple-Decker Decadence Chocolate Cookies (from Better Homes and Gardens Ulitmate Desserts)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Chocolate Ganache
1. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugars, baking soda, salt, and pepper; beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Gradually beat or stir into egg mixture. Divide dough into two portions. Shape each portion of dough into a 1-1/2-inch-diameter log (about 8 inches long). Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes or until firm enough to slice.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Working with one roll at a time, unwrap chilled dough and cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Place slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
5. For each three-cookie stack, spread 1 teaspoon Chocolate Ganache evenly over the bottom side of one cookie. Top with a plain cookie, top side up. Spread with 1 teaspoon Chocolate Ganache. Top with another cookie, top side up. Pipe remaining Chocolate Ganache over tops of cookie stacks. Chill 30 minutes to set. Makes about 14 cookie stacks.
Chocolate Ganache: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 6 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate and 1/3 cup whipping cream. Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Let stand about 30 minutes or until mixture thickens enough to spread. Makes about 1 cup.
To Store: Layer plain cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before stacking and serving. Or store stacks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
lululu says
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…….OMG! Leah is too cute! I love those spatula licking photos!
.-= lululu´s last blog ..To Ethan (First Art) =-.
sarah says
I think those pictures of Leah just made my heart skip a beat they are so precious! Cookies look amazing too. If I tried to make them, they’d never make it further than that fudgey chilled state.
.-= sarah´s last blog ..giving root vegetables a try =-.
Julia says
I agree, the photo of Leah is precious! And she looks just like you :).
I’m a licker too…And I intentionally do a bad job scraping just so there’s more.
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Ohmigosh. She is so adorable I can’t take it!
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet´s last blog ..Peanut Butter Frosted Chocolate Chip Blondies. =-.
Julie says
She’s such a cutie! Bet she keeps you busy!!! I am a licker! My mother however was totally a scraper! I never got to have the spatula like Leah! I think it scarred me for life 🙂
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Tabasco Quinoa with Asparagus =-.
Amy from She Wears Many Hats says
Oh my word! Not only is that best looking cooking I’ve seen in a while but that Leah is a cutie patootie!
Seriously, how do you get anything done? I’d be wanting to pinch her cheeks all day long.
.-= Amy from She Wears Many Hats´s last blog ..7 things =-.
Red Dirt Mummy says
Those cookies look spectacular but the kicker is that lovely chocolate smeared baby. Gorgeous!
.-= Red Dirt Mummy´s last blog ..Keeping it Simple =-.
Cigars says
Okay– seriously the pictures of your daughter are adorable. My kids would tear into this batter! I would love to make this and freeze it and eat it by the handful.. Yum yum yum.
-Sylvia
HoneyB says
LOL, this is so funny! Just on Sunday I asked Grumpy if he wanted to lick the beater after making cupcakes….he said “Sure” then he said, “I haven’t done this in years!” LOL. Me, I’m both a licker and a scraper. I have the best of both worlds. ha ha. Love your post and your cookies!
.-= HoneyB´s last blog ..Grilled Shrimp with Chipotle Raspberry BBQ Sauce =-.
patsyk says
Oh, I’m all over tasting and licking the spatula when baking! Grew up doing it and simply can’t resist even now! Isn’t that half the fun anyway? 😉
.-= patsyk´s last blog ..Planting Flowers & Monster Pops =-.
Maureen says
I love it that I know your mother-in-law quite well and can picture so many things from childhood in your stories about her. I have no idea how she got to be a scrape-it-clean’er – my mom and my sisters are lickers, too. Maybe Grandma McD frowned on the clean the bowl strategy that we implemented in our household. Love the pictures of Leah – she is so sweet!
Tickled Red says
Gee I am both 🙂 I lick some but not all. If it happens to be something the boys love than I am a good mommy and pass the licking responsibilities over to them.
By the way those are some “knock your socks off” cookies. I will come and help Miss Cuteness with the licking duties any ole day.
.-= Tickled Red´s last blog ..Sun, Surfers & Stripes =-.
susan from food blogga says
Forget the cookies, I want Leah! 🙂
.-= susan from food blogga´s last blog ..Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Sweet and Spicy Banana Margaritas =-.
Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says
Leah definitely looks like she is enjoying herself! I am totally a licker (but I call it snitching – well it is snitching if anybody but the person making the dish does it. If I do it, I call it taste testing 😉
.-= Crystal’s Cozy Kitchen´s last blog ..Menu – April 26 – May2 =-.
Erica says
I am such a licker.
I have even developed a taste for my unbaked pie dough! Gross, right? I don’t even wanna know how many butter calories I consume during the rolling/cutting scraps process.
.-= Erica´s last blog ..A Taste of Home: Spiced Up Fried Cheese Curds =-.
Memoria says
My heart just exploded with joy after seeing the photos of Leah, especially with the batter on her face and hair. Oh goodness me!!
I bookmarked this recipe already. Your description and yummy photos convinced me!
Bethany says
I’m such a licker too! Sometimes when I’m making brownies, I’m afraid I won’t have any batter left to bake!
Also, Leah is TOO cute! I hope that by the time I have kids, I can take awesome pictures like yours… you must treasure these beautiful ones!
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Mallorca =-.
Joanne says
I am SO a licker. More definitely goes into my belly then than when the baked good is actually cooked. It’s insane.
These look too dangerous for me to make. I might just lick the whole bowl up!
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Bunny Chow a.k.a South African Curry in a Bread Bowl =-.
Claire says
My mom was a licker, dad is a licker, raised us lickers. My Granny was a scraper. Now, I do taste a little but scrape most…however, if I have someone around who is a licker…they can have at it!
Miss Stovetop says
I’m a licker too. A part of the batter first goes to my thighs and butt, and then the rest to the oven. How many cookies does this recipe make? And do you use natural or Dutch processed cocoa?
.-= Miss Stovetop´s last blog ..Good food, better decor and great knick-knacks =-.
Wenderly says
Oh dear Lord in heaven…I do believe that I would be eating little Leah’s cheeks for than the yummy batter. (theoretically speaking, of course!)
Oh yeah, almost forgot, I’m a licker, come from a family of lickers too! 🙂
.-= Wenderly´s last blog ..Make Your Home A Spa For Mother’s Day! =-.
dani says
i made these too from BH&G and loved them!
hope u checked out my Strawberry Almond Bronies in the beginning of the book 🙂
.-= dani´s last blog ..#75) Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread =-.
grace says
this post WINS. the pictures are adorable, and your analysis is spot-on. i never really thought of it that way, but dividing cooks into these two categories is exactly right. i, too, am a licker, and darn proud of it. 🙂
.-= grace´s last blog ..crumby, but not crummy =-.
Liz says
Leah could be on the cover of Parents magazine! How adorable. I’m a licker for sure. Growing up, my sisters and I fought over who got to lick the beaters. I have definitely passed the genetic trait on to my boys.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..School Lunch Revolution & a Recipe for a Healthy Hero (Podcast #102) =-.
Barbara says
Oh my gosh… that is the cutest picture of your daughter! No question about it …she is a licker. You could win a photography contest with this photo!
I hate to admit this in writing, but I sometimes do both!! I always lick, but love to scrape up those bits and pieces.
.-= Barbara´s last blog .. =-.
Biz says
OMG – I love your daughters face – I just want to give her lots of smooches!
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Keeping the Eye on the Prize =-.
camille says
I am a scrape-it-clean-er, if you want to look past the fact that I scrape it clean RIGHT INTO MY MOUTH. Oh, those bowls are clean after I’m done with them, all right.
.-= camille´s last blog ..Chicken Dupiaza and Pilau Rice =-.
TomPier says
great post as usual!
Kris Mulkey says
That picture of Leah is awesome! Those cheeks! How can you stand it. So cute.
I don’t lick the bowl – but I know my daughter and hubby like it – so I always offer the beater or spoon to them. I do like to scrape the bowl to get every last drop of batter. Don’t want to miss any of the yumminess.
Happy Mother’s Day!!!!
erin says
I am definitely not a scrape it clean type. I don’t have the patience! The photos of your daughter are adorable!!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
Love the photos of Leah, too darn cute…the cookies look fab as well!
.-= Jamie | My Baking Addiction´s last blog ..Chicken Stir Fry & Egg Rolls =-.
Angie says
Your baby is clearly a licker for sure, she makes my uterus ache, LOL. I want a little girl so much, she is just the most precious thing ever. Oh, and the cookies look beautiful too!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Whole Wheat Bread with Hemp Seeds =-.
TidyMom says
Likers here at our house!!…..I even cover the bowl and save it if they aren’t home when I bake! lol
You know I LOVE that picture of Leah!! you HAVE to enter that in some kind of contest some day! ♥
Happy Mother’s Day Kristen!
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..Swiffer Sweeper Vac Review & Giveaway! =-.
Zahra says
mmmm….those cookies look good! With a name like that…how can you POSSIBLY go wrong? And I have to say, when I saw that first picture of your daughter it gave me a good 5 min laugh! shes so adorable! She has this look of what? why are you taking a picture of this? it tastes good ok? lol I just want to pinch her chubby wittle cheeks! Happy Mothers Day btw 🙂
Whitney says
I LOVE this pic of Leah!!!!! Especially the one on the left. These cookies look good too!!
Antonietta says
What an adorable photo!! The cookies look amazing too!!
ThatsSoYummy says
Can I just say ” I want to eat her up!” She is such a pumpkin for sure….. BIG SQUEEZE!!
-Natasha
.-= ThatsSoYummy´s last blog ..Happy Mothers Day! =-.
RisaG says
I am a licker. Definitely. I am a baker too. I adore baking and chocolate together. Mmmmm…You are making me so hungry. Thanks a lot.
Sara says
Happy Birthday to Leah! Love her cheeks!!! 🙂
.-= Sara´s last blog ..~Lemongrass Shrimp & Coconut Soup~ =-.
peabody says
Melt my heart with those spatula photos!
.-= peabody´s last blog ..Can’t get nothing past you…. =-.
Lynn says
How adorable is that?? Too cute for words. Oh, and the cookies look good, too.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..TDF Brownies =-.
lalaine says
Awesome picture but I think it’s Leah who sold the cookie.
AJ says
Leah is my kind of girl!!!!! I’m a licker and proud of it!
Chris says
Great pictures. I have a eight week old girl, so I will have to put this recipe on my list of things to do.