Choc & Sea Salt Cookies

It’s sensory overload time with a double hit of sheer indulgence. Bite into one of these cookies for a taste of rich, buttery dark chocolate, closely followed by a wave of sea saltiness. Add chopped fruit, nuts, seeds or even white or dark chocolate pieces for even more heavenly pleasure.

The inspiration for these cookies came from a recipe by culinary legend Nigella Lawson, so thank you Nigella. She added pumpkin seeds to hers, which I am sure would also taste divine.

Servings

This makes 12 cookies.

Timings

15 mins to make, 15 mins to bake.

You Will Need

• 50g butter
• 70g caster sugar
• 50g soft light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 80g plain flour
• 35g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp bicarb of soda
• 80g choc chips
• 80g mixed fruit and chopped nuts
• a few twists of sea salt from a grinder

Method

1. Turn the oven on and heat to 180C.
2. Beat together the butter and sugars in a bowl, with an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again.
3. In a second bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, bicarb and a few twists of the sea salt.
4. Combine the contents of the two bowls and stir together with a spatula to mix. Fold in the choc chips, fruit and nuts.
5. Use a teaspoon to scoop out the mix into 12 lumps, rounding each gently between your palms, roughly into the shape of a ball. Place each on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Don’t crowd them – they will flatten into discs as they bake, so leave a few cm of space around each one. Use a second tray if necessary.
6. Before placing in the oven, grab that sea salt grinder again and give them all a twist or two over the tops. Place in the oven and cook for 10 – 15 mins. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
7. When removed from the oven, allow them to rest on the warm tray for a few minutes, during which time they will start to firm up. Then carefully lift each one with a spatula on to a wire rack to cool.
8. The cookies can be eaten warm or when cold – they are delicious either way. They will also keep in a sealed box for 2 – 3 days, though I guarantee they will all be eaten before then!

Customise It!

Mix the added fillings to your taste. In place of the fruit and nuts, you could add biscuit pieces and mini marshmallows for a rocky road vibe. The next time I make these, I plan to add chilli flakes and lime zest.

Musical choice this time is a track I really like by Death in Vegas – Scorpio Rising. It features a guest vocal from the unmistakeable Liam Gallagher.