Chocoholics Beware

Brittany and I are making cookies right now that literally require 4 different kinds of chocolate. It's the main ingredient, followed by crushed peppermints (basically my idea of heaven).

Brittany and I of course couldn't help but doctor the recipe a little. Instead of 8 oz. of bittersweet chocolate, we used 1/2 bittersweet, 1/4 mint chips, and 1/4 dark chocolate. Brittany also wanted to use 13 cups of sugar instead of 13 tablespoons (we made a double batch) but we ultimately decided that might not work out. In her defense, Brittany said, "Neither math nor memory is my strong suit." Fair enough!

We got the recipe from Epicurious. In case you don't care to click or, heaven forbid, they ever take down the recipe, here are the instructions:

---

* 8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
* 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
* 1/2 cup finely crushed red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies
* 6 1/2 tablespoons sugar

* 3 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
* 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

* Coarsely crushed peppermints
* Powdered sugar

Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolates melt and mixture is smooth. Remove pan from heat. Mix in finely crushed mints and 6 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Cool mixture to lukewarm, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Whisk eggs into chocolate mixture, 1 at a time, then whisk in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl to blend. Whisk flour mixture, then chocolate chips into chocolate mixture. Cover batter and chill until firm enough to shape, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using 1 generous tablespoonful for each cookie, roll dough between moistened palms into 1 1/4-inch-diameter balls, then arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until puffed and cracked on top but still soft to touch in center, about 11 minutes. Let stand on sheets 5 minutes. Press coarsely crushed mints onto tops of cookies or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Transfer to racks; cool completely. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight between sheets of waxed paper in refrigerator.)