As it would turn out, this week has been a big one for us! We found out that Greg, the hubby, has been chosen to complete a twelve month head and neck surgery and reconstructive fellowship at the University of Indiana medical center in thriving Indianapolis. Once you become a physician, the journey is not over. Surgeons train for at least five years after becoming MD’s; I have so much respect for doctors! It’s great to know that Greg is almost done with a long, six-year road of post-med school training and can rest soon!
Did I mention today is my hubby and my ninth anniversary or marriage?! It’s a pretty fabulous day!
Meanwhile, we are expecting our third child. This pregnancy has been filled with challenges, while the previous two were almost a breeze. Still, this week brought good news via a 20-week anatomy ultrasound. The baby is completely healthy…. and a little boy! Snu Magoo is slightly disappointed that she won’t have a sister in the near future. “This baby is going to be very handsome, but I want a pretty baby!” was today’s comment. The other day, her main concern was The Girls being outnumbered by The Boys. Regardless, we are certain that she will love Little Guy #2 when she meets him. She is a wonderful big sister: caring, thoughtful and always willing to instruct and guide her brother.
New Mexico is a very hot place to be in the summer, especially if you have an ancient evaporative cooling system (no a/c in this state). Fear not: cold ice coffees; luscious, fresh chocolate chip cookies and one’s feet up can cure the toil of any 100•F day… well, almost. These dark chocolate chunk cookies taste almost like cookie dough, are laced with molasses-tinted brown sugar and are swimming in sweet vanilla.
The salty, crunchy walnuts provide perfect juxtaposition to the soft, moist cookie. The key is lots and lots of the highest quality bittersweet chocolate. If you think you’ve had enough, you probably should through in another handful for good luck.
Oh, and these are much lighter than a traditional chocolate chip cookie… depending on how much chocolate is added, of course!
Sometimes, we walk to the fro-yo shop, where my daughter gets a chocolate-drenched and fruit-covered ice-cream. The Little Guy prefers to go next door to pick-up a gargantuan chocolate chip and walnut cookie. He does not like to share his cookie, no matter how nicely he is asked. These cookies are inspired by our special trips to obtain afternoon, summer time treats!
Meanwhile, Snu Magoo is becoming a talented baker and blogger in her own right, as well as the best cookie-eater of any four-year-old I know. Provided the cookie is very, very chocolatey. She would be especially pleased with a cookie-ice cream sandwich! Our kids don’t eat a lot of sweet treats, so they enjoy them that much more on special occasions. I find the little ones take extra pleasure in devouring creations that they help make.
It is fairly well-know that the Little Guy’s favorite Sesame Street character is Cookie Monster (“Me Want Cookie”) and his first word was, of course, cookie. It goes without saying that he wholeheartedly approves this recipe! It’s nice to keep extras stashed in the freezer for an exceptional indulgence for him (or Mom).
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Light Dark Chocolate-Walnut Cookies
Adapted from a recipe at Cooking Light
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cow’s milk or goat’s milk butter, or Earth Balance buttery sticks, softened
2-3 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste (I prefer lots of vanilla flavor)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2, 3.5 ounces European 70-73% dark chocolate bars, chopped, or more, to taste (about 1 1/4-1/2 cup total)
1 cup roasted, chopped walnuts, or more, to taste
Parchment paper
Preparation:
- Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, baking soda and salt, stirring with a whisk.
- Combine sugars and butter in a standing mixer; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until well-blended and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and eggs; beat for a minute or so more, until well incorporated.
- Slowly add flour mixture, chocolate and walnuts; beat on low just until blended. Scrape down the sides partway through mixing.
- If dough is not adequately brimming with nuts and chocolate, feel free to add more, to taste.
- Refrigerate dough until very firm, several hours (or freeze for an hour or so, until very firm).
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Drop dough with a two to three tablespoon melon ball scoop, 2 inches apart, onto the baking sheets.
- Place both sheets, side-by-side, in the center rack of oven. If both sheets do not fit, place on separate racks and rotate halfway through baking.
- Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until barely golden. Do not overbake; aim to underbake. The cookies will continue to cook while resting.
- Cool on pans for a few minutes.
- Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks (or enjoy immediately, while warm).
©Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, shannaward.com (2013-2014), unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author, Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, and/or owner is strictly and completely prohibited.
Curls and carrots 
Congratulations on your anniversary, on Greg’s selection and on finding out that it’s a boy!!! So much to celebrate that you’d better make more of these delicious sounding cookies! Your children are just getting more and more adorable too.
Thank you, Selma!
Congratulations on all of your wonderful news! I’m sure you are all enjoying the sweet chocolatey treats! I loved your line about throwing in more chocolate when you think you have enough. That would be my thought–because you can never have too much chocolate!
Thank you, Merril, my partner in Chocolate Crime!
Always, Shanna! 🙂
wow–I want me some of the those cookies! Thanks for the recipe and putting those drool-worthy photos out. AND, more important, congrats on all the great news!!!!! Indianapolis will be a great place for your young family. And happy 9th anniversary–fantastic and well worth celebrating.
Thanks, Liz! I hope you try the cookies. 🙂
What an exciting time for your family! Years ago I spent some time at U of I and I have had several friends there so I know what an excellent program it is. Indianapolis will be a great place for your family. And the great news about your growing family finishes it all off!
Thank for your supportive words and sharing a bit, too! Where you a student or did you complete training at U of I?
No, I was a site visitor with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. My friends were in the Oncology Division of the Department of Internal Medicine.
Congratulations on all your great news :))))
Thank you, Elaine!
Congrats on all the good news! Somehow I’m not sure if the girls will really be outnumbered by the boys. In terms of numbers perhaps… 😉
Haha, yes, Indeed! 🙂 Thank you, Stefan.
Mmmmm, very good.
Happy Independence Day dear Shanna. Please give a look to my blog today: there is a special recipe…
I certainly will, Silva! I appreciate your warm comment. 🙂
very good.
Have a nice day . Happy Independence day:
Thank you! Your recent recipe looks delicious!
these look so good!
Thank you!
Congrats on all the good news. Don’t worry about being outnumbered, I survive just fine…most of the time! Besides, it will make special girl time only even better. Indy will definitely be a change, enjoy it. I went to undergrad in Indiana (Ball State in Muncie) and my husband lived in Columbus, IN just outside Indy before we met. Happy Anniversary to you and Greg as well. And of course the cookies look super yummy! My youngest is the cookie lover and my husband would take a chocolate chip cookie over almost any other dessert!
Thank you for your words, Gretchen! I am sure that if you made these cookies, you would find a way to make them even better. Our baking styles are similar, as are our tastes. Any favorite restaurants in Indianapolis? 🙂
We couldn’t come up with any restaurants in Indianapolis, it’s been a long time! I’m sure you will find plenty of good places all in good time. When do you move?
Happy Anniversary!
Omg it’s a boy, a handsome one I bet….
Happy Fourth of July and best wishes to your whole family.
Best…always Liz
Thank you so much! I see you are cranking out LOTS of delicious recipes on your blog this month. Yum. 🙂
I am trying to catch up….not yet meeting the set goals. I hope I’ll finally be there. Have a great week!
Happy anniversary! And happy baby coming! How exciting for you all!
Love the look of these cookies – I sometimes make chocolate chip ones but rarely put in walnuts and I really REALLY should!! And that picture of The Little Guy with the massive cookie is amazing – what a sweetie and very sensible not to share 😉
Thank you so much! I love the beet and fennel recipe you posted recently. What a wonderful combination of rich, root flavors!
🙂
Congratulations on your 9th anniversary, on Greg’s new endeavor and on finding out that your baby is a boy! And, Happy 4th of July! Children are growing beautifully, there are so much to celebrate about, more goodies like these yummy cookies are needed to celebrate with. Dear Shanna, may all your dreams come true, and you would celebrate more and more happy events. xoxo Fae.
Thank you so much, Fae. You are one of the most talented food bloggers I know, and I can say without question you are also one of the most kind, supportive and thoughtful. Happy 4th!
I see congratulations are in order. How wonderful. A new baby! These cookies look delicious, too. PS How did you eliminate the date from your post? I was looking for such an option and didn’t find one…
Thanks, Sheryl! The date has to do with changing your theme. Of course, when I changed my theme, I lost all of the widgets I had programmed. So change with caution. 😉 Enjoy your weekend up in beautiful Canada.
Glad you’ll be my (sort of) neighbor. And, could you send some of those cookies over here … right now?
Thanks, neighbor! 🙂 I am sure we can arrange some sort of cookie transport…. 😉
These look so delicious. I love the Cookie Monster too. Emma xx
Thanks you, Emma!
I’m so glad to hear everything is fine with the little baby boy 😀 I love these cookies! I’ve always liked some walnuts in my cookies a lots of dark chocolate too! An ideal suggestion, Shanna, I’m loving it ❤
Un beso and take care (besos a Snu Magoo too ❤ )
Thank you, Rosa! I bet you make the BEST cookies in the world. You are the Spanish Baking Queen. 🙂 Un beso, amiga. xx
Ha ha ha… Thank you! I like the sound of that… 😉
Dear Shanna 🙂 Congratulations on your 9th anniversary, and having a baby boy coming! We are so happy for you and your family. Can you please send us a few of these delicious cookies? We would love to have some right now haha…yummie! I&A
Thank you to my most favorite, culinary duo! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next! Cheers, Shanna
cookie monster is so cute, as are your children in the photos!
Shanna! Thank you for sharing all the good news! I’m excited for you, Greg and your children. Happy Anniversary and all the best to you and your family. I’m dreaming of your chocolate chip cookie right now….
Thanks, Kiyo! I would ship you some cookies, but I fear they would arrive melted and disheveled, a chocolate nightmare. 😉 Have a fantastic week!
Congrats for your hubby! 🙂 Cheers!
these cookies look amazing & must be ever so tasty too! Another must make! x
Thanks, Sophie! These freeze really well for a special treat once in a while 🙂
Ooh, I must try that before I gobble them all up! 😉
Dear Shanna,
So many amazing and challenging and marvelous things going on in the household! May you all be richly blessed with every necessity and lots and lots of extra comforts and joys in the time ahead. Good health, happiness and hope! And piles of fabulous cookies for all. 😀
xoxoxo,
Kathryn
Thank you so much, Kathryn! My very best to you and yours. 🙂
Cute children! 🙂 I’d love to have some of those cookies!
Thanks, Mila. Your streusel sent my senses into a tailspin. It sounds so tasty and comforting. 🙂
Thank you, Shanna! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂