Vegan Chocolate and pepper cookies

Chocolate Pepper Cookies

Iv been doing to much again, since taking on this course through my work program provider. The problem was I didn't really think it through and i also kept doing my 2 day work experience at the same time.   It's the side effect of having an anxiety disorder that most people don't realise.  The more you push yourself outside your comfort zone, the more exhausted and mentally tired you get. 

What's this got to do with chocolate pepper cookies?

I needed some down time and the best way I know to relax is too bake.  My last baking experiment was a success.  The mission: - bake a carrot cake for a fussy eater who didn't like cinnamon or dried fruit.  It turned out to be a lovely light cake. It wasn't totally to my taste, but that was the point.  Custom baking is tailoring the taste to suit one person. 

( My own custom carrot cake had dried raisin's, mixed spice and cinnamon)

Needed another challenge, so did a little Internet surfing last night looking for inspiration.  Id seen a recipe for using ground black pepper in a cookie.  If it's strange or wacky, I can't resist giving it a go.   It's not a new thing, seems parts of Europe have been adding pepper to cookies for a few decades.  Iv based mine on a Norwegian recipe.

I managed to wait till they were totally cool before having a taste. The cookies have a rich chocolate taste, more a biccy for grown ups than kids.  You can't really taste the spices, they just some how make the chocolate taste well more chocolaty...... 

Iv adapted my basic dairy and egg free cookie recipe.  ( Roughly makes 18 cookies)

Base Cookie Recipe   Temp: - 180 Celsius Time: - 12 - 15 Min's

4 oz Vegan Margarine

4 oz Caster Sugar

8 oz Self Raising flour

pinch of salt

Dairy free milk to mix (Depends on the flour)

- Cream the margarine and caster sugar in a bowl for a few minutes.

- Slowly add the flour and salt, mix together well to form the dough.

 - Add a small amount of dairy free milk if your dough needs help to form together.

- Take a spoonful's of dough and roll into a ball, and place onto a greased baking sheet, a few inches apart

- Pat down slightly with wet hands, place in oven

- Allow to cool on the baking tray, before moving to a cooling rack

Chocolate Pepper Cookies     - Alterations:  sugar and vegan margerine quantity stays the same

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp coffee granules mixed with 1 tbsp of hot water (leave to cool)

Reduce flour to 7 oz

Add 1 oz Cocoa powder

Optional - 1 tbsp golden syrup ( I like the taste it gives to cookies)

- Mix the spices and cocoa powder in with the flour

- Mix the cold coffee into the creamed sugar and margarine

- Slowly add the dry ingredients, and mix till well combined. 

Iv been adding salt to cakes and cookies for years now, so why not pepper?  Just don't get carried away and add too much xxx