Everything called "flourless chocolate" me always hooks from the start. Like a rich and dense flourless chocolate cake or pie or cupcakes and cookies are no exception. They seem too good to be true. No gluten? No dairy products? Other than chocolate and powdered sugar, they actually seem to dare I say "healthy-ish"? I mean no butter / oil / flour, it is a step beyond regular cookies right? I think so ... especially when you bite into one and discover the texture. crispy, tender edges, centers of fudge and loads of chocolate- what's not to love?
An added bonus is that they are gluten free so they are the ideal treatment for things to all loved ones who can not handle wheat. (Although be honest- they are so good they will perhaps not even believe that they do not contain flour.)
Although I am not really "celebrate" Valentine's Day, I love an excuse to make chocolate desserts for those I love the most. Any party that seems to be generally centered on sweets is a winner in my book right? These cookies are definitely a crowd pleaser and too easy not to go whip a lot right now !! :)
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark Dutch process)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 egg whites (large eggs)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate roughly
- flaky sea salt, for garnish (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats. (Using 2 helps keep a good rotation cooling / cooking goes.) Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir the egg whites until well combined, followed by vanilla and chocolate chips. (The dough will look like brownie batter with many pieces of chocolate chips.)
- Using part of a small medium cookie dough / 2 inches apart on your cookie sheet. (They spread a little.) Sprinkle with sea salt. (The dough looks a little funny, but they'll cook beautifully)
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges are fixed, the tops are shiny and slightly cracked. Allow cookies to cool before removing 100% of the plates with a spatula