Since I came up with the 5 ingredients | 10 minutes idea for simple recipes, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to include some sweet treats under the banner.

But when it comes to baking, there are very few things that can be made in less than a quarter of an hour for the baking part, let alone the mixing and prep work.

So after further consideration I’ve decided to let go of the time limit for baked treats. To keep things simple we’ll stick to the 5 ingredients – and I’ll promise to keep the equipment and cooking times to a minimum.

And do I have a treat for you today – something I discovered via the lovely Heidi over at 101 cookbooks. She calls them ‘puddle cookies’ and the name alone is enough to fall in love with.

After overcoming my cocoa powder snobbery recently with my cocoa brownies, I got quite excited about these cookies. They’re light and crispy on the outside and gooey chocolatey goodness on the inside. With nuts for crunch and bound with just egg whites they’re a perfect way to use up leftover egg whites if you happen to have an ice cream making addiction.

With only 5 ingredients and a straight forward method that requires nothing more than a bowl and a spoon for stirring – we’re talking simple as well.

Oh and did I mention that they’re gluten AND dairy free? My dear old Dad couldn’t get enough.

.



[5 ingredients | simple baking]

puddle cookies

makes about 9 giant cookies

Inspired by Heidi from 101 cookbooks.

I made mine generously giant sized like Heidi – if you’d prefer a more modest cookie, by all means use smaller spoonfuls.

It judt occurred to me that if you were cooking for someone with nut allergies OR a die heard chocoholic – you could turn these into double choc puddle cookies by substituting in chocolate chips for the nuts. mmm.

155g (5oz or 1 1/2C) roasted & chopped nuts – I used hazelnuts

225g (9oz or 2C) icing (powdered or confectioners) sugar

30g (1oz or 1/3C) cocoa powder

1t vanilla extract

2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 160C (320F).

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until well combined.

Spoon into 2 tablespoon piles on 2 baking trays lined with baking paper. Leave heaps of space between – they’re really going to spread.

Bake for 12 – 15 minutes or until they have puffed up and cracked on top. Cool on the tray.

______________________________________________________________

on breadshoes – a review of tetsuyas and your chance to win dinner and a masterclass with the man himself.

I’m ahead in my quest to read 26 books this year. Even thinking of upping it to 50 books. To check on my progress have a look at my now reading page.