chocolate

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted by on Jan 7, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 0 comments

Let’s start off the new year with a new, original cookie recipe: Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies! This is a riff on my old favorite Soft Batch-style Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies feature chocolate melted into the dough. Of course, they still feature chocolate chips as well. That said, the chocolate flavor here is quite gentle, a contrast to heavily chocolaty things like brownies.

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Note that the brown tint of the dough can make it trickier to visually gauge doneness in the oven. Look for the cookies to be set, not gooey.

Bready or Not Original: Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Want something with a lot of chocolate, but not something that’s as hardcore as a brownie? These cookies are infused with gentle chocolate flavor and keep well for days!
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: chocolate, cookies
Author: Beth Cato

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 3/4 cups chocolate chips a mix is great

Instructions

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips in a few short bursts, taking care not to overcook. Stir until smooth. Set aside to cool a smidge.
  • Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in the melted chocolate chips, blending until it forms a consistent brown color. Slowly mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Chill dough for at least 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Place parchment on baking sheet.
  • Scoop the dough using a teaspoon or small scoop, spacing apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until set in middle. Let cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to rack.
  • Store in a sealed container. Keeps well for at least 3 days.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Posted by on Dec 24, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 2 comments

    To those who celebrate: Merry Christmas! To others: hey, have an awesome day. For everyone: let’s enjoy some Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies!

    Bready or Not: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

    This recipe is actually somewhat close to the wonderful Toll House recipe. I grew up on that one, of course, as it was famously on the back of every bag of Toll House Chocolate Chips. The recipe I’m sharing adjusts the amounts, though, but still uses a full bag of chocolate chips.

    Bready or Not: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These cookies are chewy, crisp, sweet, and laden with chocolate. As you may note in my pictures, I used a mix of chocolate, white, and caramel chips. If you want to add nuts, then reduce the number of chips so the add-ins still equal 2 cups.

    Bready or Not: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Bready or Not: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These cookies are chewy, crisp, sweet, and laden with chocolate. No chill time is required; mix the dough and bake right away! Makes about 40 large cookies.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chocolate, cookies
    Servings: 40 large cookies
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • parchment paper
    • large cookie scoop or tablespoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
    • 1 cup brown sugar packed
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 large eggs
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 cups chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter to soften. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla followed by the eggs one by one.
    • In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, scraping the bottom of the bowl to incorporate everything. Fold in the chocolate chips.
    • Use a scoop or tablespoon to space out dough on parchment. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, until they look set and light gold. Let them remain on the pan a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
    • Store cookies at room temperature in a sealed container.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Salted Mocha Tart

      Posted by on Nov 26, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, pie | 0 comments

      This Salted Mocha Tart is incredibly easy and yet is an absolute showstopper of a dessert. No baking is required.

      Bready or Not: Salted Mocha Tart

      The graham cracker crust here goes perfectly with the coffee-forward flavor of the ganache. Mind you, I don’t drink coffee, so to me it was very strong and required something like caramel or preserves on top, whereas my husband drinks his coffee black and he could happily eat this tart plain… though he thought the caramel made it even better.

      Bready or Not: Salted Mocha Tart

      I wish I could emphasize how extraordinary this tart is. I rank it up there with some of the most delicious AND simple desserts I have ever made. Do yourself a favor and make this for company this holiday season!

      Bready or Not: Salted Mocha Tart

      This incredible tart is no-bake. It is fast to make, stunningly delicious, and keeps well in the fridge up to 6 days.
      Course: Dessert
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • saucepan
      • 9-inch tart pan with removable base
      • cookie sheet
      • uneven spatula

      Ingredients

      Crust

      • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
      • 1 Tablespoon white sugar
      • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 8 ounces graham cracker crumbs (14 whole crackers)

      Filling

      • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
      • 1 Tablespoon instant espresso powder
      • 12 ounces semisweet baking chocolate equivalent to 3 chocolate baking bars
      • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened

      Topping

      • flaked sea salt such as Maldon
      • jarred caramel other options include honey, fruit preserves, and/or ice cream

      Instructions

      Make crust

      • Place the butter, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and heat on medium until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is fully melted.
      • In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter mixture to thoroughly moisten.
      • Place tart pan on a cookie sheet. Press crumbs evenly across the base and sides of the tart pan. Use the cookie sheet to place pan in fridge for at least 1 hour, or freeze for 15 minutes.

      Make filling

      • In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream and espresso powder to a simmer. Remove from heat and add the chocolate and butter; let them stand for 2 minutes, then stir until glossy and smooth. Pour the ganache into the crust and smooth out with an uneven spatula.
      • Chill tart in fridge until it’s starting to set, about 20 minutes, then sprinkle flaked sea salt over top.
      • Put back in fridge to chill until completely set, at least an hour. Carefully pop the tart pan's outer ring off. Place base onto a cake plate or other serving dish. Cut off slices to serve. Serve with a drizzle of caramel on top, or use honey or fruit preserves. Would also be great with ice cream.
      • Cover tart with foil to store in fridge. Will keep well for at least 6 days.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Chocolate Nut Cookies

        Posted by on Nov 19, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, nutty | 0 comments

        These Chocolate Nut Cookies are unique. They feature bold chocolate flavor, plus the flavor and crunch of almonds infuse every bite.

        Bready or Not: Chocolate Nut Cookies

        Also, the dough is fast to come together. The ingredients are pretty straightforward for cookies. No dough chilling is required (not that it would hurt). Make, bake, and enjoy!

        Bready or Not: Chocolate Nut Cookies

        If you love almonds like I do, browse through my other recipes on Bready or Not. I have a good number that include frangipane, too!

        Modified from Taste of Home Fall Baking 2016 Magazine.

        Bready or Not: Chocolate Nut Cookies

        These are fantastic, fast-to-make cookies imbued with chocolate flavor and almonds! Makes about 45 cookies with a small scoop. Modified from Taste of Home Fall Baking 2016 Magazine.
        Course: Dessert, Snack
        Keyword: almond, chocolate
        Servings: 45 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • parchment paper
        • cookie scoop

        Ingredients

        • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
        • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
        • 1/2 cup white sugar
        • 1 large egg
        • 1 teaspoon almond extract
        • 2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1/4 cup baking cocoa sifted
        • 1 teaspoon baking soda
        • 1/2 teaspoon salt
        • 1 cup white chocolate chips
        • 1 cup chopped almonds

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
        • In a big bowl, cream together butter and both sugars until they are light and fluffy. Add egg and almond extract.
        • In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. Fold in the white chocolate chips and almonds.
        • Use a cookie scoop or spoon to create dough balls. Space them out on the baking sheet.
        • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies look set. Let them rest on the sheet a couple minutes, then transfer them to a rack to fully cool. Store in a sealed container.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

          Posted by on Nov 12, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, nutty, pie | 0 comments

          Are you in need of a cookie to wow people this holiday season? These Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are truly something special. They are dense, filling, loaded with chocolate, and pecan-crunchy in every bite.

          Bready or Not Original: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

          I used a mix of semisweet and milk, but really, you can make the chocolate aspect as sweet or as deep-dark as you prefer.

          Bready or Not Original: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

          Also, I suggest keeping this recipe handy for Pi Day this next year (March 14th). This is a great recipe to bake up and share with a crowd, and unlike standard pie, it’s very portable.

          Bready or Not Original: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

          Bready or Not Original: Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

          This recipe makes a full casserole dish of thick, chewy pie bars! Note that the crust dough needs to chill for at least an hour, but could be made a day in advance.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: bars, chocolate, pecans, pie
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 9×13 pan
          • aluminum foil
          • nonstick spray
          • Rolling Pin

          Ingredients

          Crust

          • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1/4 teaspoon salt
          • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 and a half sticks) cold
          • 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

          Filling

          • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) melted and cooled
          • 4 large eggs
          • 2 cups white sugar
          • 1/2 teaspoon salt
          • 1 cup all-purpose flour
          • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
          • 2 2/3 cups chocolate chips semisweet and/or milk (16 ounces)
          • 1 1/3 cups chopped pecans

          Instructions

          Make the pie crust

          • Combine flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add in ice water, pausing to mix with hands every so often. Stop adding water when the dough comes together. Shape into a disk and encase in plastic wrap to chill for at least an hour or for a day.

          Shape crust

          • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
          • Lightly flour a clean, flat surface. Roll out dough to roughly fit the pan (hold the pan over the dough to gauge the correct shape). Press dough into pan so that it goes evenly across bottom and up all four sides. Pinch off excess dough and use that to patch and extend elsewhere. It doesn’t need to be pretty, as it will largely be covered by filling.
          • Place crust in fridge to chill.

          Make filling

          • Melt the two sticks of butter in microwave or on stovetop. Set aside to cool.
          • In a large bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, and salt, scraping bottom to incorporate. Stir in flour, melted butter, and vanilla. Fold in the chocolate chips.
          • Pour filling into chilled crust. Sprinkle pecans all over top.
          • Cover top loosely with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil. Bake another 30 minutes. Check for doneness; the pie is done when the top is golden and a butter knife tip inserted in the middle comes out clean. Pie may need as much as 15 more minutes to finish baking, meaning the total baking time can range from 50 to 105 minutes.
          • Cool in pan on wire rack, then place in fridge to fully set and chill. Use foil to lift pie onto a cutting board to slice into bars.
          • Store bars in sealed container in fridge. Best eaten within a few days.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

            Posted by on Nov 5, 2025 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, chocolate, pumpkin | 0 comments

            There’s something especially cozy and right about a pumpkin and spice bundt cake in the autumn. This Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake hits all those notes perfectly… and that took some effort on my part, as I actually had two fail-cakes in the process of developing this recipe.

            Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

            This isn’t a heavily sweet cake. There is no dense glaze. This cake is really all about pumpkin and spice, with the chocolate and apple butter beautifully complementary.

            Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

            This is the kind of cake that functions well for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

            Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

            This luscious cake is moistened by a combination of pumpkin puree and apple butter. It’s simple and perfect.
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • 10-cup bundt pan

            Ingredients

            • 3 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
            • 1 1/2 Tablespoons pumpkin spice
            • 2 teaspoons baking powder
            • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1/4 teaspoon salt
            • 2 cups white sugar
            • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
            • 1/3 cup apple butter
            • 3 large eggs room temperature
            • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
            • 1/2 cup half & half or milk
            • confectioners’ sugar to dust top

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Generously apply nonstick spray to a 10-cup bundt pan.
            • Combine the flour, cocoa powder, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
            • In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, butter, apple butter, and eggs until no eggy streaks remain. Add pumpkin puree and half & half. Fold in the dry ingredients, scraping bottom of bowl to incorporate everything.
            • Pour batter into pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes; the middle of the cake should pass the toothpick test.
            • Let cool for 15 minutes. Carefully invert cake onto cooling rack to cool completely.
            • Add sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar over the top. Slice and serve. Cake can also be sliced, wrapped, and frozen for later enjoyment.

            OM NOM NOM!

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