Let's Turn Benedict Cumberbatch Into a Cookie!

The Sherlock Christmas special premieres in two days (EEEEEEEK), and in honor of my favorite (and sexiest) sleuth, we're celebrating with cookies. You don't have to know who Benedict Cumberbatch is or love Sherlock to love these cookies, but I am telling you that you should at least make an effort. So let me introduce you. Say hi, Ben!

Yes, he looks like an otter, and no, he's not traditionally handsome. Magically though, he transcends those facts and is still super hot. Plus he's given us many memorable performances, namely Sherlock Holmes in the crowd-pleasing BBC drama. When someone asks me what they should watch next, I always ask, "Have you seen Sherlock?" It's the go-to suggestion, and if you haven't yet gotten on the train, please watch them on Netflix. You don't have to watch them to enjoy Friday's Christmas special (which is set in actual Sherlock time, not modern London, so the stories won't carry over), but if you want extra joy in your life, you should watch anyway. Don't have 14 hours to see all three seasons? Here are the essential episodes:

• A Study in Pink // season 1, episode 1 // It's the introduction to all the characters plus a great case.

• The Great Game // season 1, episode 3 // Our first introduction to Sherlock's forever nemesis.

• The Reinchenbach Fall // season 2, episode 3 // Just... just watch it.

• The Empty Hearse // season 3, episode 1 // I can't tell you anything else except that I'm totally rewatching these now.

• The Last Vow // season 3, episode 3 //  The final episode so far. Season four will premiere in January 2017. I know; it's cruel. 

I love this man, I love this show, and my love morphed into a compulsion to turn him into a cookie. That's normal, right?

Are you feeling like anything that isn't a classic chocolate chip cookie is a waste of time? I'm with you. It's rare that another kind will lure me away. But somehow, this cookie does. It's a chocolate cookie filled with dark and white chocolate, and it's just a dream. Rich without being too intense, homey and familiar but somehow unexpected, and a surprising favorite even when the classics are around. 

Kind of like Benedict. (I promise I'm not crazy.)

You and your people will love this cookie, so give it (and Sherlock) a try. 

Triple Chocolate Cumbercookies

INGREDIENTS

The Dry Ones

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

The Other Ones

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened, i.e. left on the counter for 30-45 minutes

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/2 cup (2-3 oz) chopped dark chocolate (at least 60%)

• 1/2 cup  (2-3 oz) chopped white chocolate

HOW TO MAKE THEM

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper because baking with parchment paper will save your life in the kitchen.

2. Combine the dry ingredients and set aside. I sift mine onto a sheet of wax paper, but if you don't mind washing extra dishes, feel free to use a whisk and bowl.

3. Use a mixer to cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about two minutes on medium.

4. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat another 30-60 seconds until combined and still fluffy.

5. On the lowest setting, mix in the flour just until you can't see it anymore. It'll be a little thicker than a lot of cookie doughs, so don't fret. 

6. Add the chopped chocolate by hand.

7. Scoop with a food scoop if you have one or a rounded tablespoon, and place the dough two inches apart on the sheet pan. Bake for 11 minutes. Listen up. Don't bake these too long. When you pull them out, you shouldn't see any raw dough on the top, BUT if they're a little jiggly or seem raw inside, you're good. Again, you want the dough on the surface done, but don't worry about the insides. They'll settle as they cool and create the perfect cookie texture. Cool on the pan for a minute or two before removing to a cooling rack. Just slide the parchment from the pan to the rack; no spatula needed. 

Makes about two dozen Cumbercookies, and they last a solid three or four days before the texture starts to change.

Are you as irrationally psyched for the Christmas special as I am? And have you bought your tickets to see it in the movie theater on January 5th?! Because that's a thing. Here's the trailer.