Tuesdays with Dorie - Cafe Volcano Cookies

These are some of the craziest cookies I've ever made. After completing the batter, which looked more like syrup I was completely confused. I had doubts that the cookies would turnout more like brittle.

But after five or so minutes in the oven they puffed up and look just like cookies! Crazy! I guess that's what happens when egg whites hit heat! :)

I decided to half the recipe since I was making them just for my husband and I and some friends and it was seriously so basic: nuts, egg whites, espresso powder and sugar. I also used Perro instead of espresso. I've used in in recipes past where coffee or espresso was called for and I it has worked fine. I tasted the batter and it tastes delicious.

The recipe called for almonds and walnuts, but I didn't have any walnuts so I decided to use pecans. When a recipe calls for blanched almonds, I always do them myself since I usually just buy raw almonds. If you are wondering how to blanch almonds check out this link. It's very easy...and kind of fun.

I also decided to make homemade hot chocolate. It made for the perfect Sunday night treat to for the end of November! Find the recipe on this post of mine. But um...I'm warning you, the hot chocolate is rich!

The cookies made a great companion. They were light and nutty! I seriously am so surprised by these cookies. They really do look like volcanos. See this pix! I love them. They were fast, easy and I had never put cookies onto the baking sheet straight from the stove. They were light and airy, just like Dorie said. And, they fizzle and dissolve right in your mouth. I love, love that there is no flour in them! These were fun!

You can find the recipe Macduff of The Lonely Sidecar's blog. And make sure to see how the other Tuesday with Dorie bakers liked Cafe Volcano Cookies, by finding their blogs on the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll.


Next week: My Favorite Pecan Pie (probably skipping...unless you can convince me that I HAVE to make & eat this after Thanksgiving!)