If you’ve ever dreamed of a cookie that elegantly balances rich chocolate with a hint of salt and buttery goodness, then Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe is exactly what you’re looking for. I absolutely love how these cookies come together with a tender yet slightly crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, making every bite feel like a little celebration. Whether it’s a cozy afternoon treat or a showstopper for your next gathering, this recipe works beautifully every time.
When I first tried Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe, I was amazed at how simple ingredients created such a sophisticated flavor. You’ll find that the secret lies in using high-quality chocolate and a careful balance of brown and granulated sugars, which give the cookies their incredible depth and just the right amount of chewiness. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll keep coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture: The cookies come out tender with a slight crumble, giving you that delightful bite every time.
- Balanced Sweetness: A mix of brown and granulated sugars creates just the right sweetness without overpowering the chocolate.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can refrigerate or freeze the dough, making it super convenient for busy schedules.
- Foolproof Baking: These cookies tolerate slight imperfections, so don’t stress if your slices crack—they’ll still turn out amazing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe plays a special role in achieving that iconic taste and texture. I always recommend using good-quality cocoa and chocolate chips to really bring the flavors to life.
- All-purpose flour: Lightly spooned into your measuring cup ensures the dough isn’t too dry or crumbly.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use a rich, natural cocoa for that deep chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly without spreading too much.
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creamier than cold cubes allows for easy mixing and tender dough.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that enriches the cookie.
- Granulated sugar: Provides crispness that balances with the chewiness of brown sugar.
- Fleur de sel or fine sea salt: Just a pinch enhances the chocolate’s richness and softens sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract: A splash rounds out all the flavors beautifully.
- Bittersweet chocolate: Chopped into small chips or mini chocolate chips, this is what provides the melty, gooey pockets of yum.
Variations
One of the things I love most about Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to sneak in some nuts or change up the chocolate, experimentation is welcome.
- Nutty Twist: I once added toasted pecans to the dough, which gave a lovely crunchy contrast without overwhelming the cookie’s texture.
- White Chocolate Swap: Using white chocolate chips instead of bittersweet gives a sweeter, creamier profile—perfect if you’re not a dark chocolate fan.
- Spiced Version: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder deepens the flavor and pairs wonderfully with the chocolate.
- Vegan Adaptation: Substitute the butter with coconut oil and check your chocolate chips are dairy-free—results were surprisingly great in my tests!
How to Make Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Measure and Sift with Care
First things first: measuring your flour and cocoa powder correctly is key. I discovered this trick when I started spooning flour lightly instead of scooping—it makes such a difference in texture. After measuring, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda to ensure everything is evenly mixed and aerated, which helps with that tender crumb we want.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter on medium speed until soft and creamy—that usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Then add both the light brown and granulated sugars, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together for another two minutes so the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step adds air that helps your cookies rise just right.
Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients Gently
Now switch off the mixer and add in your sifted dry ingredients. I like to drape a kitchen towel over the mixer to prevent flour clouds—trust me, it’s a game changer for keeping your kitchen tidy! Pulse the mixer at low speed about five times, just long enough to bring the flour into the dough. If you still see lots of flour, pulse a few more times, but don’t overdo it. Finish mixing gently just until the dough looks homogeneous but still a bit crumbly. Toss in the chopped bittersweet chocolate and fold it in without overworking.
Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough
Turn the dough onto your work surface and gather it together carefully. Divide it in half and roll each piece into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter—don’t worry if they aren’t perfectly smooth. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. This rest time makes slicing easier and improves the final texture. Bonus: dough can hang out in your fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months—very handy if you want to bake on demand.
Step 5: Slice and Bake with Confidence
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Using a sharp, thin knife, slice your chilled logs into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. They might crack or crumble a bit – this is totally fine, just press any pieces back together gently before placing them on your baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake each sheet for 12 minutes. The cookies might look soft or underbaked—this is exactly what you want! Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets on a cooling rack until they’re only just warm to the touch, letting them firm up perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe
- Gentle Folding: When adding the chocolate chips, mix only until just combined to keep the dough tender and prevent breakage.
- Chilling Matters: Don’t skip the chilling step—it prevents spreading and makes slicing much easier.
- Tidy Slicing: Use a sharp knife warmed under hot water, then dried, for cleaner, smoother cookie rounds.
- Watch the Bake Time: Cookies will seem soft and underdone when you pull them out—resting on the sheet is essential for perfect texture.
How to Serve Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love to serve these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving—those little finishing touches really boost the flavor. Sometimes I even dip half of a cookie in melted dark chocolate for an elegant twist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a creamy cup of coffee, a latte, or even a glass of cold milk. They also make a charming dessert alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged the cookies on a tiered platter with edible flowers and chocolate curls scattered around—it makes for a visually stunning centerpiece that gets everyone talking. Wrapping a few cookies in parchment tied with twine also makes for sweet, thoughtful gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I find placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep them moist and soft—don’t skip this little trick!
Freezing
I often freeze the dough logs right after shaping them, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and inside a freezer bag. When it’s cookie time, I slice the logs directly from the freezer and just add an extra minute to the baking time. This makes spontaneous cookie cravings so manageable!
Reheating
If you want to enjoy leftovers warm, pop a couple of cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds or in a low oven (around 275°F) for 5 minutes. This revives the soft center while keeping the edges pleasantly crisp.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of chocolate for Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While bittersweet chocolate chips are recommended for that signature balance, you can try semisweet, dark, or even white chocolate for different flavor profiles. Just be mindful of how sweet or bitter your chosen chocolate is to keep the cookie balanced.
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Do I have to chill the dough before baking?
Yes, chilling is crucial. It firms up the dough, which makes slicing easier and helps the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much in the oven. A minimum of 3 hours is best, but you can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
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What does fleur de sel add to the recipe?
Fleur de sel adds a subtle, flaky saltiness that enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness, giving the cookies an incredible depth. If you don’t have it, fine sea salt works just fine.
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How do I avoid my cookies spreading too thin?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melting, chill the dough logs thoroughly before slicing, and avoid overmixing once you add the flour. These steps help maintain the dough’s structure so your cookies hold their shape.
Final Thoughts
Sharing Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe with you feels like passing along a little treasure from my kitchen to yours. These cookies have become a favorite in my home, not just for their delicious taste, but for how they bring people together around a warm cup of coffee and sweet conversation. Give this recipe a try—I promise you’ll enjoy every crumb, and maybe even find yourself making them again and again like I do!
PrintPierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 49 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies are rich, tender chocolate cookies with a delicate balance of bitter cocoa and sweet chocolate chips. These cookies are made with simple ingredients and a careful mixing technique, including chilling the dough before slicing and baking to achieve the perfect texture. They’re subtle, sophisticated, and perfect for sharing peace and sweetness worldwide.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup (175 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (150 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup (120 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate
- 5 ounce (150 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips (no pieces larger than 1/3 inch), or a generous 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: If measuring by volume, lightly stir the flour and cocoa powder, then spoon them into measuring cups, leveling off with a knife to avoid packing, ensuring the dough has the right texture.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking soda to combine thoroughly and aerate.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, fleur de sel (or sea salt), and vanilla extract, continuing to beat for 2 minutes until well combined and fluffy.
- Add Dry Ingredients Gently: Turn off the mixer and pour in the sifted dry ingredients. Cover the mixer with a kitchen towel to prevent flour dust, and pulse on low speed about five times briefly. Check dough and pulse a few times more if flour is still visible. Mix on low speed an additional 30 seconds or until flour is just incorporated, avoiding overmixing. Mix in the chopped bittersweet chocolate chips just until distributed.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Turn the dough onto a work surface, gather it, and divide in half. Shape each half into logs 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days. Dough can also be frozen up to 2 months; thaw slightly before slicing if frozen.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 325 °F (163 °C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Slice Dough into Cookies: Using a sharp, thin knife, slice chilled dough logs into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Allow for slight cracking—press bits gently back onto cookies. Arrange rounds on prepared baking sheets spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes. The cookies will appear underbaked and soft, which is ideal for texture. Remove from oven and transfer baking sheet to a cooling rack. Allow cookies to cool until only slightly warm, then serve or cool completely to room temperature before storing.
Notes
- For best results, measure flour and cocoa powder by spooning lightly into measuring cups rather than scooping to avoid a too-dry dough.
- You can freeze the dough logs for up to 2 months; bake straight from frozen adding one minute to baking time.
- The cookies are meant to be slightly soft and tender even when finished baking, do not overbake.
- Fleur de sel adds a delicate salty finish, but fine sea salt can be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 18mg