Upside-Down Pear

I wrote yesterday about garam masala, and my potentially out-of-hand addiction to it. These chocolate garam masala cookies taste a bit like Oreos, with a faint spiciness at the back of the flavor.

Based on a recipe from Gourmet, Feb. 2003

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 tsp garam masala
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 oz. chocolate chips (1/2 bag)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Combine flour, cocoa, garam masala, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in eggs, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Add flour mixture and mix just until combined - do not overmix!

Drop tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets and bake about 12 minutes. Because they’re so dark, you will have to keep an eye on them - they will puff up a bit, and shouldn’t collapse under your finger if you open up the oven and touch them lightly. Cool on a rack.