Baking lifts spirits, especially when it’s Double Chocolate Cookies with sea salt and pecans. These soft, brownie-like treats are chocolatey from cocoa powder and melted chocolate chips, then finished off after baking with a few morsels on top.

Double Chocolate Cookies

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• additional chocolate chips for tops
• flaked sea salt for tops

Preheat oven to 325° F. On low power, heat 1 cup chocolate chips and butter in 15 second increments, stirring between each time until melted and smooth. Stir in sugars, eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Combine with the other mixture, and add pecans.

Using a medium stainless steel scoop, drop onto Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 14 minutes approximately, then remove from oven and add additional chocolate chips to the tops of each cookie. While still hot, sprinkle a bit of flaked sea salt on each cookie.

Makes about 25 cookies.