Down Below with Hermé and Chocolate — Hémisphère Sud avec Hermé et du chocolat
Almost D Day!
Who would mind the extremely long journey when it is to visit one of my favorite places, once more. Off for a few weeks down below, to New Zealand, Melbourne and Tasmania. C’est nous ! I packed my camera and the bare minimum, in the hope to be bringing back tons of great memories, pictures and stories. P. and I cannot wait to visit the South Island fjords, Otago, walk to Wineglass Bay, visit local markets and have fun with our dear friends down there. I need this vacation!
And since our flight flights will be numerous and lengthy, so long that you do not want or need to know how much time it will take us before we arrive to our final destination, I thought that, while waiting for way too many hours at the San Francisco airport for example — anyone has a few spare hours to kill? — both P. and I would deserve to nibble on a few batches of these delicious Pierre Hermé’s Chocolate Sablés. They are to-die-for! Some of you already know!
Note: Sablé is shortbread in English, hence the texture of these sweet treats.
Recipe on Next Page
You need:
- 1 1/4 cup (6 oz) all-purpose flour
- 5 1/4 oz dark chocolate 70% cocoa (Valrhona)
- 1 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
- 11 Tbsp butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup (4 1/4 oz) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (1 3/4 oz) fine sugar
- 1/2 tsp Fleur de Sel
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Steps:
- Chop the chocolate coarsely.
- In a large bowl, sift and mix together the flour, cocoa and baking soda.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the butter until soft and creamy. Add the two sugars, the salt and vanilla extract and beat for 2 min or so.
- Add the flour and chocolate, and mix together until all the flour is absorbed. Do not overwork the dough, just enough until all the flour is well incorporated.
- Divide the dough in two halves and shape two logs, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place them in plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for about 2 hours (I even left them longer as I went out).
- Take the logs out of the fridge and remove the plastic wrap. Make slices 1/2 inch wide and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cook for about 11 to 12 mns in a preheated oven at 330 F. Remove and let cool on a rack (the sablés are fragile and will only get hard when cooling).
Ingrédients :
- 175 g de farine
- 150 g de chocolat noir à 70% de cacao (Valrhona)
- 30 g de cacao en poudre non sucré
- 150 g de beurre, à température ambiante
- 120 g de sucre brun
- 50 g de sucre fin
- 1/2 càc de Fleur de Sel
- 1/2 càc de bicarbonate de sodium
- 1 càc d’extrait de vanille liquide
Étapes :
- Hachez le chocolat grossièrement.
- Tamisez et mélangez la farine, le cacao et la bicarbonate de sodium dans un saladier.
- Travaillez le beurre en pommade (dans un mixeur à pied si vous en avez un, ou un mixeur à main) et ajoutez les sucres, le sel et la vanille. Mélangez bien pendant 2 min avant d’ajouter les farines et le chocolat en morceaux. Travaillez juste assez pour que toute la farine soit bien incorporée.
- Façonnez deux boudins de 4 cm de diamètre et enveloppez-les dans du film étirable. Mettez au frigidaire au moins 2 heures (j’ai même laissé plus longtemps car j’étais sortie entre-temps).
- Sortez les boudins du frigidaire et enlevez le film étirable. Découpez des tranches d’1 cm d’épaisseur et disposez-les sur une plaque de cuisson recouverte de papier sulfurisé (la pâte est friable, c’est normal).
- Mettez au four préchauffé à 170 C pendant 11 à 12 mns. Retirez et laissez-refroidir sur grille (attention les sablés sont fragiles et ne durcissent qu’une fois qu’ils refroidissent).
60 Comments »
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WOW~ i like it~
and the photos r very beautiful~ as i said ever”just like a painting~~”
Comment by YOYO — On March, 4th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Those sables look delicious! Enjoy your vacation! I’ll be looking forward to hearing about your adventures
Comment by Kat — On March, 4th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Bonnes vacances Béa au bout du monde !!
Comment by mercotte — On March, 4th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Hi Bea,
if you cross christchurch, drop by to say hello! I’d love to meet you.
These sablés are insanely addictive. I *love* them (read: i could kill for them)!
Love
- fanny
Comment by fanny — On March, 4th, 2007 at 2:07 am
oups mince je me suis dit ..elle part en vacances avec le pierrot..veinarde…
Bonnes vacances et a tres bientot bises
Comment by veronica — On March, 4th, 2007 at 2:43 am
Profite-bien de tes vacances (mais je te fais confiance
) et merci pour ces magnifiques sablés.
Comment by Sophie — On March, 4th, 2007 at 4:25 am
What marvellous photos! I would love to vacation on such a spot! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
The sables look heavenly…I have been so curious to try them out seens I saw them on Fanny’s (Foodbeam)…yummmmmm
Comment by joey — On March, 4th, 2007 at 4:29 am
i love the pictures & the chocolate sablés of course, miam!!
Comment by leonine19 — On March, 4th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Oh lala tu me fais encore craquer, ma boite à cookies est vide, je vais la remplir en essayant ces petites merveilles. Bon dimanche.
Comment by sylvieaa — On March, 4th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Have a great vacation Bea! I can not wait to see photos from your trip. Btw, I am crazy for Herme’s sables as well.
Comment by Cenk — On March, 4th, 2007 at 5:56 am
Je te souhaite de superbes vacances! Profites-en. J’ai hâte de découvrir en photos et en mots tous les souvenirs que tu ramèneras.
Comment by Ninnie — On March, 4th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Très bonnes vacances (elles ne peuvent qu’etre bonnes!)!
Comment by Adèle — On March, 4th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Happy Holidays & enjoy your trip to New Zealand Bea!
Comment by valentina — On March, 4th, 2007 at 7:21 am
What a tease you are! I’ve never been to Australia or NZ or had Sablé!
Have a great time and bring every story and photo you can.
Comment by Tanna — On March, 4th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Wait – you will be in Melbourne? Please please please can you bring these chocolate sables? I can exchange some home-made dumplings for them?
Comment by Ellie — On March, 4th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I look foward to hearing (and seeing) the high points of the trip. Traveling with you is always a pleasure, Bea! I haven’t made it to New Zealand yet, but this will be the next best thing. Safe travels!
Comment by Christine (myplateoryours) — On March, 4th, 2007 at 9:30 am
hello bea! how strange to google chocolate and find your post today! for two reasons… first is i’m working out the plans now to launch a new experiential enterprise that brings people together both in physical places around the world AND in an online community to enjoy the simple pleasures of the finest chocolate and each others company (the site here is a working site put up for first event in NYC last week)… BUT the second reason is I am also polishing a screenplay I wrote that is set on the South Island of New Zealand! – who knew… chocolate and New Zealand on the same post!!! enjoy your trip… drop by the site and send your email… me
Comment by michael — On March, 4th, 2007 at 9:51 am
wow these look absolutely delectable. your photos are fantastic. hope you enjoy your travels. i’ll be traveling at the end of the month — i cant wait to get away! it will be my very first time in Europe! i can’t wait to try this recipe.
Comment by Linda, The Village Vegetable — On March, 4th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Lucky you! I hope you have a great trip! I’ve been to quite a few places, but never anywhere close to there.
Comment by kalyn — On March, 4th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Bon voyage! Can’t wait to see all your wonderful photos!
Comment by Lisa (Homesick Texan) — On March, 4th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
La Nouvelle-Zélande me fait autant envie que ces sablés, mais un voyage n’étant pas à l’ordre du jour, je me contenterai de tester ces petites merveilles…
Je vous souhaite un très bon voyage dans un pays far far away…
Comment by adeline — On March, 4th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
haha …. it’s cool to see someone so excited about coming to NZ … perfect timing too .. the weather is still hot & i went for a swim at the beach in the weekend and the water is still warm … hope you have a blast while you’re here … if you need any ideas on what to do, or where to eat in Auckland be sure to drop me a line!
Comment by sharon — On March, 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
c’est une recette des plus gourmandes.
A essayer sans faute
Comment by domie — On March, 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I am always looking for new sables recipes for snack time.It looks delicious. Have a safe trip and bring us a lot of pictures. Have fun. A tres bientot.
Comment by Rose — On March, 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I just made a batch of these last week, they’re delicious!
Comment by Brilynn — On March, 4th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Welcome down under. If you want some insider tips on discovering the backstreets of Melbourne – or the local wine regions – just send a line.
Comment by Ed — On March, 4th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ugh! Though the cookies look great all I can concentrate on is that you bake and make all these wonderful things and still get to wear a bikini! Those are some great genetics.
Comment by peabody — On March, 4th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I loved the Abel Tasman shot. I’m a Canadian (married to an American and living in Philadelphia) and my husband and I spent 3 months backpacking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking our way around NZ a couple of years ago. Kayaking the Abel Tasman was one of my fondest memories. Thanks for the reminder!
Comment by Carolyn — On March, 4th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Enjoy my friend! Have a wonderful voyage!
Comment by Ivonne — On March, 4th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
au réveil, la vision de ces sablés et de cette plage.. sont tout bonnement inhumains!! Béa tu es la tentation incarnée!
Comment by Alhya — On March, 5th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Scrummy looking sablés, I must try them too! I hope the weather stays nice for you, ’tis such a shame you won’t be coming to Canterbury
Comment by Bron — On March, 5th, 2007 at 3:14 am
c’est superbe !!!! je poste toujours le même commentaires mais à chaque fois je suis éblouie par tes photos !!!
Comment by sylvie — On March, 5th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Such beautiful photos, Bea! Wow!
I’ve made these cookies and they are fantastic. Absolutely divine. Now I want to make them again. There goes my diet. lol
Comment by Patricia Scarpin — On March, 5th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Bon voyage amie Bea, je suis certaine que vous allez vous eclater. J’attends avec impatience tes magnifiques photos au retour.
Comment by Gracianne — On March, 5th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Qu’est ce qui me fait le plus réver? Votre voyage ou tes sablés?….
Comment by Soho (Chocoholic) — On March, 5th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Love that car!
Comment by Jeff — On March, 5th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Have a wonderful trip Bea! Am looking forward to more of your gorgeous travel pics when you return!
Comment by Anita — On March, 5th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Above all else, you have made me want to go on holiday. I haven’t had time off work in almost a year now and it’s making me crazy!
Comment by Scott at Realepicurean — On March, 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
u have to stop clicking such fantasic pictures …u are killing me…u cant believe the stress i get when i see ur blog….when will i get as good at bea…when…arggggg…haha just kidding :–))…its always a pleasure to visit ur blog…and just for my info…who gets to eat all these lovely treats….u know u could ems them sometimes when u dont to what to do with them…i’ll mail u my add.!!!
By the way Mr.Herme would b proud of u
Comment by Kate — On March, 5th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Perfect timing! I got online to look for a chocolate studded cookie to make but didn’t want to do regular old chocolate chip cookies. These sound great and will be made in a couple of hours.
Hope you have a fun trip!
Comment by courtney — On March, 5th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
C’est bien la premiere fois que je suis plus fascinee par les photos de vacances que celles de biscuits au chocolat…je dois avoir de la fievre…!
Comment by Helen — On March, 5th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I’m so excited for you!!! And I’m already loving the photos. Is that your car in the first pic?
I like that photo the best for some reason. I can’t wait to hear all about the trip!
Comment by Christine — On March, 5th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
If your trip means forthcoming photos of exotic birds, then I can’t wait til you get back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by rowena — On March, 6th, 2007 at 2:47 am
Profite bien de ton voyage. Moi, c’est le ski qui m’attend dès ce vendredi. Ce n’est pas la même chose, moi qui adore le soleil.
Je vais me faire une fournée de tes gâteaux pour le voyage.
Bises
Comment by Christelle — On March, 6th, 2007 at 5:12 am
beautiful photos Bea. Enjoy your vacation and I hope your suitcase gets packed with memories and inspirations. And as always, your cookies look lovely and I’m swooning over your cups & plates!
Comment by Connie — On March, 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Thank you Yoyo!
Thank you!
Unfortunately, we are not stopping in AUckland either (we spent a lot of time around there last February) and this time, will mainly travel in the SOuth Island and Wellington a little, to visit friends.
Kat, thanks. I will!
Mercotte, merci!
Fanny, I would have loved to, but unfortunately, I am not coming to Christchurch at all ;-( We will be in Queenstown though!
Veronica, merci bien.
Sophie, oui pas mal ces sablés, n’est-ce pas ? Merci!
Joey, yes this is a pretty nice place to spend time in! Thank you for your note.
Leonine, thank you!
Sylvie, je te fais confiance pour bien la remplir, ta boite!
Cenk, thank you very much for your words.
Ninnie, merci. MOi aussi, j’ai hâte!
Adèle, oui tu as raison, merci.
Valentina, thank you my dear!
Tanna, ahahh a tease, me?
Ellie, Yes I will be in Melbourne, but only for a day on our way to Tasmania, staying with a friend. I would have loved to meet you but it will just be too short I am afraid. If anything changes, I will let you know!
Christine, thank you so much! I cannot wait to bring back tons of nice things to see!
Michael, ah this is a fun coincidence indeed. So is the screenplay shot in New Zealand then, and if so where and when??
Linda, thank you! I hope you have a lot of fun in Europe. I am sure you will.
Kalyn, thank you!
Lisa, thank you. I cannot wait to shoot!
Adeline, ahha tu es bien sage. J’espère que tu les aimeras.
Sharon, thank you! Yes totally excited! It seems that we get down there every year now
Domie, merci, oui!
Rose, thank you!
Brilynn, oh good for you! I love them!
Ed, thanks a lot! Unfortunately, I am not spending a lot of time in Melbourne this time, although I love the city (I visited it three times already). Hopefully another time! But many thanks!
Peabody, you are too funny! I guess yes, Mother Nature was pretty good to me.
Carolyn, I am glad I could bring back nice memories to you, I love ABel Tasman NP too, we also kayaked there last year, did a 4 day trip in the park, sleeping overnight, kayak and walk. Loved it. I already hiked the place 3 times, I guess I must love it! But not this year as we head to Milford Sound instead.
Ivonne, thank you!
Alhya, ahahh, le diable, en quelque sorte!
Bron, yes I am bummed to be missing you too! But hopefully another time as we seem to come back to NZ quite often
Sylvie, merci beaucoup. Bien gentil à toi de penser cela.
Patricia, oh yes, impossible not to like these cookies, is it?
Gracianne, ah mais oui, merci beaucoup. Je suis impatiente
Soho, les deux peut-être
Jeff, yes pretty cool, eh?
Anita, thank you!
Scott, I hope you manage to get away soon then. I bet this must make you crazy. Vacation should be compulsory!
Kate, thank you! You are too funny! Makes me smile.
Courtney, oh very nice, hope you like them.
Helen, ahah oui tu dois avoir de la fièvre! C’est un bon signe, cela dit.
Christine, thank you! not our car in the first pic but a car we digged!
Rowena, I hope so yes!!! P. is like you, he LOVES to observe birds for hours! Could stay there undisturbed until one finally moves.
Christelle, ah le ski, c’est super aussi. Profites-en bien. Et merci.
Connie, thank you! I think the chocoholic in you would love these, yes!
Comment by Béa — On March, 6th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Oh Bea , I am speechless as usual with your wonderful photos! I have never tried the Pierre herme sables but looking at yours make me want to make them next!
Have a great vacation.
Comment by Veron — On March, 6th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Bonjour Béa! Your sablés look absolutely amazing! A perfect snack for a well deserved vacation… play safe, and have a wonderful time!
Comment by gilly — On March, 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Have a great time Bea. Do call if you have time to share a glass of wine in Auckland.
Comment by barbara — On March, 6th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Veron, thanks!
Gilly, thank you. I am exicted now as I am leaving in a day!
Barbara, I will definitely keep in touch if we have time!
Comment by Béa — On March, 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I think you mean 11 Tb (tablespoons) of butter, not 11 tsp (teaspoons). What an amazing recipe though!!
Comment by Anonymous — On March, 6th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
You leave today, yes? Have a great, wonderful utterly fabulous trip!
Comment by s'kat — On March, 8th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Ohhhh–while in Paris this past summer, I bought some of these chocolate sable cookies at his shop! Slightly salty and truly to-die-for…I will certainly make them at home!
Comment by whisp — On March, 9th, 2007 at 7:40 am
These sables will be a great addition for a tea party I will be catering….I am very glad I stumbled across your website…pictures are beautiful…
Have a great vacation
Comment by mj — On March, 9th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
hi hi all,
the notation is “tsp” for teaspoon and “Tsp” for tablespoon. I had checked to make sure that both Tsp and Tb or Tbsp were accepted, and they all seem to. But I will add Tbsp to lift any ambiguity.
Comment by Béa — On March, 9th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I finally made these tonight, as I had run out of brown sugar.
They are SO good. The dough itself is the best I have ever tasted, and I could have eaten it with a spoon.
Thank you.
Comment by courtney — On March, 10th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Bonnes vacances Béa
Bonne voyage Béa
Bonne chance Béa
Sooo beautiful there!
Comment by ParisBreakfasts — On March, 12th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Bonjour !
Votre blog est superbe ! Les recettes sont top, j’adore !!! ces petits sablés au chocolat me font de l’oeil
Ca y est j’ai adopté votre blog !
Comment by Ganesha — On March, 22nd, 2007 at 3:56 am
hi Béa! I had been your blog a couple of times and I’m truly amazed the wondrous pictures! I went through a lot of your posts and I am so glad I found this one! I tried this recipe and it’s heavenly! Thank you for sharing and all the best!
Regards,
Karen
Comment by Karen — On July, 13th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Testé !
Il me fallait une bonne recette sans œufs et celle là a été parfaite !
Je la referais surêment. Avec des zestes d’oranges confits ça doit être super.
Bravo pour tes photos, elles sont vraiment sublimes.
Comment by Audrey — On April, 7th, 2008 at 7:54 am