The Maya believed that the end of the world as we know it will occur December 21, 2012. With the state of the things today, I think about this a lot. And usually out loud to Todd because I know he’ll say something like “If the Mayas were so smart, then how come you don't see them around today?” That's somewhat consoling, but deep down I know the Maya were smart and probably on to something.
So the end of the world was on my mind again today and being in that state, I started thinking about all my loser recipes. Most specifically, this one – Maya Gold Chocolate Crackle Tops, a recipe I entered it into a contest sponsored by Green & Black’s chocolate. It was a one entry contest and I wasn’t that surprised to lose, but I was a disappointed. Mainly because a) the cookies were delicious and 2) I will now never get to meet Curtis Stone, who was part of the prize package. But life goes on. At least until 2012, right?
With our remaining life cycle being so limited, I usually abandon loser recipes -- kick em’ to the curb and move on. But today I’ve decided to share my loser with you because maybe you might like it and maybe this really maybe be the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. And if you are not really a fan of Mayan flavors (chocolate mixed with orange, nutmeg and other stuff) you can make the cookie with any flavor Green & Black’s bar you wish. What you should end up with is an intense chocolate cookie reminiscent of a miniature chocolate souffle.
Maya Gold Chocolate Crackle Tops
7 ounces Green & Black’s Organic Maya Gold Dark Chocolate, chopped
2 large egg whites, room temperature
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup granulated sugar or evaporated cane juice crystals
Preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat
Melt chocolate in top of a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over (but not touching) a saucepan of simmering water.
In a mixing bowl, using high speed of electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add vanilla, then add sugar a few teaspoons at a time, beating all the while until egg whites are stiff but not dry. Fold the warm melted chocolate into the egg white mixture.
Using a tablespoon measure, drop 12 neat rounds of egg/chocolate onto cookie sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake on center rack for 8-10 minutes – tops will appear set and slightly cracked.
Slide parchment or mat off the tray and allow cookies to cool. Slide a metal spatula underneath the cookies and scoop them off the sheet when cool.
Makes 12
Jennifer
I hope I can find this chocolate. I'm going to a baby shower on Saturday and want to take meringue cookies because one of the guests has celiac disease and can't have gluten. I'll have to do a little research first, just to make sure that those with celiac can have all the other ingredients.
Keith
We loved trying Grandmother Mulholland's Fudgies with a recipe we found on ShindigZ party supplies:
I’ve been making my Grandmother Mulholland’s Fudgies since I was a child. They are very easy to make and the kids love to roll them. Messy fun! Load up a plate for each of your friends.
Grandmother Mulholland’s Fudgies
6oz dark or semi sweet chocolate
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons butter
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
Melt chocolate, butter and cinnamon in a double boiler (or microwave), then add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Stir all ingredients until they are thoroughly blended. Pour the mixture into a shallow platter and chill (covered) for 2 hours or more. Form into small balls (about walnut size) and roll the balls in colored sugar or sprinkles. Chill until hard. Enjoy!
MMMMMM...
Randi
They look great. Target has different flavors of the green and black chocolate on clearance.
Anna
Carol, thank you soooooooo much for trying them! You are the first person besides me to actually make them. I did taste test them on my friend Sarah, but that's it. No one's ever made them.
Thanks!
Oh, btw. Here's another way to meet Take Home Chef. Bid on him! Proceeds go to help children in Uganda. Looks like the bidding is up to $18,300 now.
Carol A,
I'm eating on of these right now! YUM!!!!! Lovely soft chocolate with a light flaky top. These were really easy to make, especially for something that seems so "fancy."
Your timing was perfect, Anna - we're going to a 25th anniversary party for some of my dearest friends, and she loves chocolate/orange combination. These cookies are just for them - I'm bringing your recent cheesecake bars for my potluck contribution (I doubled the recipe) along with some fresh strawberries from our local stand. When I made the cheesecake bars before, I ate some with strawberries on top and they were delicious!
Anyway, these Maya cookies are terrific. I know Curtis would have loved them. You know, he actually missed out on meeting YOU! 🙂
Julie O'Hara
Those do look really good--and so easy! I actually have most of a bar of that chocolate in the fridge. I thought I'd love it, but I'm just not crazy about the flavor; but I think it would be great for baking. For eating, I just love really good plain, bittersweet chocolate.
recipegal
Anna,
your cookies looked great. Don't worry about the end of the world!!!!! And if the Maya said it will be the end of the "world as we know it", maybe it just means gas prices won't be as high, and traffic will be lighter...cuz that is the world I know right now.
-shannon abdollmohammadi
Katrina
Hey, this is a gluten free cookie as well as no fat (besides the chocolate). Looks yummy!
Therese B.
I am going to say something here that I will probably NOT regret. Curtis is HOT!! Dang it...
Girl....I too am sad that you didn't win as well!!!!
I am sure these cookies are worthy of a win...they look awesome!!
And Curtis...well...another day...another dream.
Stop thinking of the end of the world. Think happy thoughts...there is an after life...and it will be good!! No GREAT! Sorry...I went to a funeral yesterday. Sort of puts it LIFE in perspective.
Chin up now laddie. Isn't that what Curtis would say in that cute aussie accent of his??!!
Carole R.
Boy, Anna, do these look good. If I were a judge you would have won.
There will be a few cookie contests for the holidays. Change the name, the brand of chocolate and add something (chopped nuts or peppermint) and you may have a winner.
Jane
Small yield, few ingredients, chocolate. This is definitely my kind of cookie recipe! I can't wait to try it. Then again, I may wait for Shannon to post hers first! Oh, who am I kidding...I'll probably make them both. 🙂
Anna
Kate, thanks. I figured I was writing Maya vs. Mayan wrong. At least Green & Black got it right with "Maya Gold". I changed it. Hopefully it's sorta right now ;).
Patti, that guy was obviously crazy. Plus, he didn't invent a calendar. He was no Maya!
Maybe I should put a countdown to 12-21-12 on Cookie Madness?
Patti
There was some guy in Texas who was interviewed by 20/20 a couple weeks ago (his followers call him a prophet). He said the world would end on June 12, 2008. Yes, just a few days ago. I'm still here, are you? I wonder what his followers think of him now. So now we have until 12-21-12. Interesting numbers.
I'm pretty sure none of your recipes are losers.
Kate
Delurking to say those cookies you posted with the chopped raisins are my absolute go-to soft cookie recipe. I love reading your site.
Those cookies look very yummy, I shall have to try them, I am always on the lookout for a good chocolate cookie recipe.
I know you appreciate precision, so I am tossing this out here. "Mayan" only refers to the language, i.e. "Current inhabitants of the Yucatan peninsula speak a variant of ancient Mayan". The people are called the Maya (and they still are around today!).
Sorry, I am a bioarchaeologist and can't help myself -- stepping off soapbox now!
Shannon K
Gosh these look amazing, Anna!
And, your bravery has inspired me to post my own Green & Black's loser recipe to my blog. Coincidentally, I used their Maya Gold chocolate bar in my recipe, too!
Chin up, girl! I bet your "kick 'em to the curb" recipes are better than most of mine!!
🙂
Debbi
I wonder how many people won't buy Christmas presents that year for their family?? Boy won't they be in trouble if the Mayans are wrong!
Emiline
Oh gosh. I'm so depressed right now. I feel the same way I felt after I watched an Inconvenient Truth.
That's going to suck, because it's right before Christmas.
Anyway, the cookies look delicious.
VeggieGirl
I don't want to think about the end of the world (especially if it's supposed to be the year after I graduate college - too soon!!!), so I'll just focus on the beauty of those cookies :0)
Janet
FYI, I just looked at their site and found several stores that carry it...Target and Earth Fare here in SC. Check it out....and some recipes to view...thanks for introducing me to another good site!
Laurie
Hi Anna! I tried that contest too with a custard filled meringue but I didn't win either! Those cookies look delish! Laurie
Carol A,
Chocolate souffle.
Curtis Stone.
Yum.
🙂
sizzle
If the end of the world is that close, better eat all the cookies I can. 🙂
Clumbsy Cookie
Shame you didn't win Anna, but you have till 2012 to keep trying!
Meredith
I made brownies this past winter with G&B's Mayan Gold hot chocolate mix -- the "quick brownie" recipe from epicurious that I've mentioned before. I grated some orange rind into the batter, too, and added a pinch of cinnamon and some fresh-grated nutmeg. They were scrumptious. [I've started using "scrumptdelicious" since reading your prior post! :)]
Jennywenny
MMMM they look good. I really love the mayan gold stuff so I'd probably find it hard to make it last long enough to go into a recipe!
In san diego we have it in Henrys (wild oats) and whole foods.
sharon
These look like a winner to me! I love the meringue-esque topping. I've never heard of Green & Black chocolate but I may just need to do a closer look. I usually try not to spend too much time in the chocolate aisle.
Anna
Sue, I like your idea that the Mayans just took off. Maybe they built a spaceship or a time machine and just left.
Janet, if you try the cookies, let me know.
G, I found the chocolate and H.E.B. where they carry all the Green & Black flavors. In Houston, you might try Central Market or Specs.
Lara, Todd is right about most everything. I hate to say it, but he is.
Lara
Mmmmm! Those look like winners to me!
Also, I hope Todd is right about the Mayans.
gseales
Where on earth did you find that chocolate? I also live in Texas (Houston), so hopefully we would have the same store as you have in Austin.
Janet
Sorry but this one DOES NOT look like a loser to me! It looks delicious and I am inspired to try it once I find the chocolate. Thanks.
Sue
These sound delicious! I'm glad you didn't kick this recipe to the curb. I don't know what the baking contest world is like but I know that the quilting contest world passes over a lot of outstanding quilts. One that isn't chosen in one venue can win a HUGE prize in another, so just because this didn't win a specific contest doesn't mean that it isn't a HUGE winner!
As to the Mayans, they were very smart, but Todd has a valid point. Then again, maybe they were so smart that they took off for another world that will last longer than 2012?