Unleash Bold Flavors: Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies with a Fiery Sriracha Ganache Drizzle
Double Chocolate brownie cookies drizzled with a spicy Sriracha ganache.
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a truly unforgettable dessert experience! If you appreciate the exciting dance between sweet and spicy, you’re in for an absolute treat. I’ve crafted these impossibly thick, deliciously gooey double chocolate brownie cookies, and then elevated them further with a unique, vibrant ganache infused with the unexpected kick of spicy Sriracha sauce. It’s a combination that might initially raise an eyebrow, but one bite is all it takes to convince you of its genius.
For those unfamiliar, Sriracha is a beloved chili sauce, famous for its bright red color and distinctive blend of heat, garlic, and a hint of sweetness. I confess, I seize every available opportunity to douse my meals with this incredible sauce. It offers a warmth that isn’t overpowering, yet undeniably delivers a pleasant “wee kick,” as some would say. When incorporated into our rich chocolate ganache, Sriracha doesn’t just add heat; it introduces a gentle, lingering warmth that beautifully complements the deep cocoa notes. For the truly adventurous heat-seekers, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, while entirely optional, can be added to amplify that fiery background sizzle, creating an even more dynamic flavor profile.
Admittedly, when I first conceived of these cookies, a slight wave of nervousness washed over me. Chocolate and Sriracha might sound like an unconventional pairing to many home bakers. While culinary professionals and chefs have long embraced the harmonious marriage of chili and chocolate – a classic combination that plays on the complex flavors of both ingredients – not everyone is accustomed to such adventurous dessert choices. My primary concern was whether these bold, flavorful cookies would be understood and accepted by the average palate. Would people truly appreciate the innovative blend of rich cocoa and spicy warmth?
“Sriracha in chocolate… Say what?”
That’s likely the exact thought running through your mind, isn’t it? It’s a natural reaction to an unexpected fusion. However, I promise you, that initial skepticism will melt away with the very first bite. The subtle heat from the Sriracha awakens the deeper, sometimes hidden, notes of the chocolate, transforming a classic treat into something extraordinary and incredibly addictive. It’s a delightful surprise, proving that sometimes, the most unconventional pairings yield the most delicious results.
My husband, Squirrel, a true connoisseur of spicy foods, absolutely adored them – which, honestly, came as no surprise. He’s always up for a culinary adventure! To truly test their universal appeal, I packed the remaining cookies for him to take to work. The response from his coworkers was overwhelmingly positive; the bowl was devoured in no time. When I later asked him for feedback, his simple yet telling reply was, “The bowl’s empty, isn’t it?” Enough said. Their rapid disappearance was all the validation I needed – these sweet and spicy brownie cookies are a certified hit!
This unique recipe was developed as part of my participation in the Baker’s Joy “Which Sweet Treat Are You?” campaign. For this exciting initiative, each participating baker was assigned a specific personality trait to interpret through their culinary creations. I was honored to be chosen to represent the “Comedic” personality, which encouraged me to explore unconventional ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations. While Sriracha itself isn’t an obscure ingredient, its presence in a sweet dessert, especially paired with chocolate, is certainly out of the ordinary and delightfully “comedic” in its surprising nature. It perfectly embodies the spirit of adventurous baking and playful experimentation.
Given the long-standing culinary tradition of pairing chocolate with various forms of chili and spice, creating a sweet chocolate brownie cookie infused with a distinctive Sriracha ganache felt like the perfect, slightly mischievous, choice. This recipe highlights how seemingly disparate flavors can unite to create a truly harmonious and exciting taste experience, pushing the boundaries of traditional dessert making.
Baker’s Joy fans worldwide have a fantastic opportunity to join the fun by participating in the “Which Sweet Treat Are You?” quiz. This engaging online experience guides you to a sweet treat personality that aligns with your unique characteristics. Each personality result is then deliciously represented by a specific, specially crafted recipe – like these Sriracha ganache brownie cookies – developed by talented bakers across the web exclusively for this quiz. It’s a delightful way to discover new recipes and explore your inner dessert persona!
You can take the “Which Sweet Treat Are You?” quiz daily for a chance to win fantastic daily prizes and also be automatically entered into a drawing for the grand prize. Daily winners will be rewarded with a $50 Visa gift card and a generous year’s supply of Baker’s Joy products, ensuring your future baking endeavors are well-equipped. The ultimate grand prize winner will receive an incredible package: a $500 Visa gift card, a coveted KitchenAid stand mixer – a dream appliance for any baker – and, of course, a year’s supply of Baker’s Joy. Don’t miss out on this sweet opportunity to win big while discovering your dessert personality!
Let’s talk about the foundation of this incredible dessert: the brownie cookie itself. This recipe yields a deeply rich, intensely chocolatey cookie with that signature gooey, fudge-like interior that we all adore in a good brownie. It absolutely does not shy away from chocolate! The secret to its profound richness lies in the generous inclusion of a full cup of melted chocolate folded directly into the batter. This step infuses every crumb with an unparalleled depth of cocoa flavor. And if that’s not enough chocolate for you (is it ever?), a substantial scoop of extra chocolate chips is gently folded in at the very end, ensuring pockets of melty, delightful chocolate in every bite.
One of the most crucial secrets to achieving these magnificently big, wonderfully thick, and perfectly soft cookies is chilling the dough. Seriously, do not, under any circumstances, skip this vital step! The cookie dough requires a minimum of four hours to rest and firm up in the refrigerator. I understand the impatience when the scent of delicious cookies is so close, but I promise you, this waiting period is absolutely worth it. Chilling allows the fats to solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too thinly in the oven and locking in all that delightful chewiness and thickness.
Due to their delightfully delicate texture once baked, these brownie cookies require a bit of extra care during the cooling process. To ensure they don’t stick and maintain their perfect shape, always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. For an extra layer of non-stick insurance, I highly recommend a light spray of non-stick baking spray with flour (like Baker’s Joy, for example) over the parchment. Once the cookies emerge from the oven, resist the urge to move them immediately. Allow them to cool directly on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes. This crucial resting period allows them to set and firm up just enough before you gently transfer them with a thin, flexible spatula to a wire rack to complete their cooling journey. Patience here ensures perfectly intact, beautiful cookies.
Now, let’s dive into the truly exciting component that makes these cookies so special: the Sriracha ganache! If you’ve never ventured into making ganache before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how straightforward and incredibly rewarding it is. This silky, spicy drizzle takes these brownie cookies from simply delicious to truly extraordinary.
The process begins by gently heating a quarter cup of milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. While the milk is warming, combine your dark chocolate, the star Sriracha sauce, and the optional pinch of cayenne pepper in a separate heatproof bowl. Once the milk is hot, carefully pour it over the chocolate mixture. The magic then happens during a brief 3-minute rest, allowing the residual heat from the milk to slowly and perfectly melt the chocolate. After this short wait, simply stir the mixture until it transforms into a glossy, perfectly smooth, and utterly tempting ganache. The aroma alone is enough to get your taste buds tingling!
Of course, taste is personal. If the idea of a spicy ganache isn’t quite your cup of tea, or if you prefer a more traditional chocolate topping, feel absolutely free to omit both the Sriracha and the cayenne pepper. The resulting plain chocolate ganache will still be a luxurious and delicious addition to these rich brownie cookies.
Once your cookies have cooled sufficiently, it’s time for the grand finale: a generous drizzle of that incredible Sriracha ganache. Using either a spoon or a fork, create beautiful, artistic drizzles over the top of each cookie. The ganache doesn’t just add a visual flourish; it imparts a complex layer of spicy, subtly salty warmth that perfectly contrasts and complements the inherent sweetness of the brownie cookie. It’s an ideal finish that elevates every bite into a symphony of flavors, truly making these unique double chocolate brownie cookies an unforgettable dessert. Prepare for an explosion of taste that will leave you craving more!
And while you’re enjoying these sensational sweet and spicy treats, don’t forget to head over to the Baker’s Joy website and take their fun “What Sweet Treat Are You?” quiz! It’s a fantastic way to discover your baking personality and enter for a chance to win some truly amazing prizes. Happy baking, and enjoy the delicious adventure!
Chocolate Brownie Cookies with Sriracha Ganache
Thick, gooey chocolate brownie cookies drizzled with a spicy Sriracha ganache.
Yield: 20 cookies
Total Time: 4 hours 33 minutes
Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Ingredients:
Cookies:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, at room-temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Sriracha Ganache:
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup dark chocolate
3/4 teaspoon Sriracha
Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Directions:
Cookies:
Simmer 1 inch of water in a medium saucepan. Place 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and butter in a medium heatproof bowl and place the bowl over, not touching, the simmering water. Melt the chocolate and butter together until the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, espresso powder, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture and whisk until smooth.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before baking. Refrigerating the cookie dough will yield thicker, softer cookies.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with a light coating of Baker’s Joy Non-Stick Baking Spray with Flour.
Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or tablespoon, dollop the batter onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing the cookies 3 inches apart. Bake for 13 minutes.
Allow the cookies to rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before placing them on a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will be delicate, so be gentle when removing them from the baking sheet.
Sriracha Ganache:
Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot to the touch.
While the cream is heating, add chocolate, Sriracha, and, if using, cayenne pepper to a small bowl.
Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Allow the mixture to rest for 3 minutes.
Using a small rubber spatula, stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Using a spoon or fork, drizzle the ganache over the cooled cookies.
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Disclosure: I was compensated by Baker’s Joy to create a recipe for their “What Sweet Treat Are You?” campaign. All opinions are my own.