Black Gold Recipes

BLACK GOLD

Steps:

• Back in the nineteenth century, when you could buy a black truffle without having to take out a second mortgage, the French would cook truffles in the coals. Should you win the lottery, this is a wonderfully extravagant way to enjoy the odoriferous black fungus. You'd need 15 to 20 minutes' cooking time for a 2-inch truffle.

UPPER CRUST BAKERY BLACK GOLD COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt unsweetened chocolate, 9 ounces semisweet chocolate, and butter, stirring occasionally, and remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs with sugar until light and fluffy. Add espresso powder, vanilla extract and chocolate mixture, beating until smooth. In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt and add to chocolate mixture, beating until just combined. Stir in remaining semisweet chocolate and nuts until combined well. Scoop out 1/2-cup measures of cookie dough, arranging them 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until tops begin to crack (do not overbake). Cool cookies on a rack.