Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Two years ago today, my husband and I finally got to Pierre Herme on our last day in Paris. We had about 5 euros left between us so we figured we'd just try one or two. They insisted we have three each and we (in our pitiful French) kept trying to explain that we didn't want all that and were terrified of going to the register and having to explain that they'd have to put them back but Voila! It was Macaron Day and they were free! We thought we'd won the lottery.

I was there a few months ago and almost fainted with delight when I saw the 300-plus cake stands and 200 cutting boards. They had to drag me out, kicking and screaming. Curiously, I haven't been invited back since...

The first thing that is horribly, ridiculously wrong with that recipe is the 35 minute baking time, which is why I think the results were really dry. When I lowered it to 15 minutes, I ended up with a much more cookie-like confection--crisp exterior, slightly soft in the middle. You might even be able to lower it to 12, if you let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes while they cool, so their shapes can settle.

After that, I upped the cocoa, swapping out the same amount of flour. Even though I really don't like things overly sweet, I would definitely add more sugar next time, maybe an extra couple tablespoons of brown sugar, for more flavor. However, it might be worth it just to try another, more reliably flavorful chocolate cookie recipe, like the Dorie one I recommended (though haven't tried as a pretzel yet), and just use the pretzel technique from the original recipe.

They really are adorable, but the recipe is pitiful.

I adore this site and everything about it. She's hilarious. I'm so glad you've given her the mention she deserves! Her photography just incredible, as well.

I have to confess a weakness for salty, crunchy things with lunch, but having no interest in swallowing some 250-cal (1/5 of my daily suggested calories!) chips, I'd much rather reach for a 100-calorie pack. I think the product is brilliant. Unlike products that brag "low fat" (but are ridiculously high in carbs) or "sugar free!" (but are loaded with all sorts of garbage) or the generic "healthy!" (I believe I last saw this on Fruit Loops), they kind of are what they are.