I brought these and the allspice chocolate cookies to work on the same day, and someone asked me if I come up with these flavor combinations on my own. I most definitely do not. Coming up with interesting variations isn’t really my thing. Not only do I love classic, simple flavors, it would just not occur to me to add black pepper to a chocolate cookie.
But once confronted with the idea, I’m perfectly happy to try it. I can see how pepper would work with chocolate. I think pepper’s bite could compliment chocolate’s bitterness.
I might have gone a little light on the pepper though. I was worried, I admit. In the end, the cookies were tender and chocolately with salty pockets. I didn’t really notice the pepper, but a few people at work told me they detected it and enjoyed it. I never would have thought of it on my own, but apparently, it works.
Tia chose this for Tuesdays with Dorie, and she has the recipe posted. I actually didn’t make any changes this time!
One year ago: Coffee Break Muffins
Two years ago: Flaky Apple Turnovers
Three years ago: Dimply Plum Cake
These look beautiful, and I might want to try making them myself – I’ve had salt and pepper chocolate bars, and the pepper just sticks around too long at the end, so I like the sound of “barely detectable.”
And of course salt and chocolate belong together.
Love this idea! Chocolate and ancho chile powder are great together, so I have high hopes for these. I bet they’d make a great Christmas treat, too.
I couldn’t taste the pepper very much either and I was disappointed as one of my favorite cookies has a great pepper accent! You must have added the egg wash: that really adds a lot. I used fancy Hawaiian salt which was really fun.
wow that extra wash really changed the way these looked! awesome!
I’m like you. I rarely think these things up, but I’m always willing to give things a shot. These cookies sound intriguing.