Chocolate Malted Whopper Drops

It is Memorial weekend. For me that usually means hosting or going to a barbecue and making or taking Macaroni Salad. Today is no different. I got up early and made the Macaroni Salad. I do make a pretty good Macaroni Salad and it is popular among family and friends....but today's post is not about the salad...it's about the dessert!

I was anxious to make something from my new cookbook, Baking From My Home To Yours, by Dorie Greenspan. I don't bake very often because I have a sweet tooth and do not know when to stop; but tomorrow is a workday and my friends love chocolate so these cookies are for them!

In her book, Dorie mentions that the Chocolate Malted Whopper Drops sound like something right out of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, she is right! They are very rich and I did know when to stop this time. They have chunks of chocolate covered malted milk balls and chocolate inside making a soft burst of flavor.


I was fortunate, the family Kitchen Gnome came to the rescue and coarsely chopped the malt balls for me. It was a trade off. He got the malt balls remaining in the box!

The cookies were quick and easy to make. (Kitchen Gnomes are always great to have.) The hardest part was the anticipation while waiting for them to bake and cool!





Chocolate Malted Whopper Drops

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup malted milk powder
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temp.
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup whole milk (I used 2%)
2 cups (6 ounces) chocolate-covered malted milk balls, coarsely chopped
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks


GETTING READY: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

Sift together the flour, malted milk powder, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until very smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about a minute after each addition. Beat in the vanilla; don't be concerned in the mixture looks curdled - it will even out when the dry ingredients are added. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add half the dry ingredients, mixing just until they disappear in the batter. Mix in the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients, mixing only until they are incorporated. The batter will look more like fudge frosting than cookie dough - and that's fine. With the mixer on low, or by hand with a rubber spatula, mix in the malted milk balls and chopped chocolate.


Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on to the sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between spoonfuls. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back after 6 minutes. When done, the cookies will be puffed and set slightly but soft to the touch. Let the cookies rest for 2 minutes before using a wide metal spatula to transfer them to the racks to cool to room temperature.

Repeat with the remaining dough, cooling the baking sheets between batches.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

I am anxious to hear my friends' verdict. I am certain that they will like them...what's not to like? Candy in the form of Chocolate Covered Malt Balls and chocolate chunks, a chocolate cookie, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside....I can only say, "Got milk?"