If you’re craving a cookie that feels like a warm hug in every bite, Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these cookies balance a tender crumb with a deep chocolate flavor that’s both comforting and sophisticated. When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked by how effortlessly it turns simple pantry ingredients into something truly special.

You’ll find that making these cookies is as enjoyable as eating them. They’re perfect for sharing on cozy weekends, gifting during the holidays, or whenever you want to whip up something that brings a little extra warmth and joy. Trust me, Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe is worth every minute you spend baking it.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich Yet Subtle Chocolate Flavor: The blend of cocoa and bittersweet chocolate gives you complex flavor without overpowering sweetness.
  • Soft, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Texture: Thanks to careful handling and just enough butter, these cookies stay tender and crave-worthy.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Shape and refrigerate the dough up to three days in advance or freeze for longer, making your baking schedule flexible.
  • Perfect For Sharing: The recipe yields about 36 cookies, ideal for gift-giving, parties, or simply stocking your cookie jar.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that tender, deeply chocolatey cookie you’ll adore. Sourcing quality cocoa and chocolate really makes a difference here, so be sure to pick unsweetened cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate that you love.

  • All-purpose flour: Use a light hand when measuring to keep your dough tender, not dense.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: I use Dutch-process cocoa for smoother chocolate notes, but natural cocoa works too.
  • Baking soda: This helps your cookies rise just a touch without puffing them up too much.
  • Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter is key for easy creaming and a silky dough.
  • Light brown sugar: Adds moistness and a subtle caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s richness.
  • Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and texture perfectly.
  • Fleur de sel or fine sea salt: Salt sharpens all those chocolate flavors — don’t skip it!
  • Pure vanilla extract: Just a touch elevates the overall flavor.
  • Bittersweet chocolate: Chopped into chips or mini chips; this melts into pockets of chewy deliciousness.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to mix things up with this recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. The great thing about Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe is how forgiving it is to small tweaks that bring your personal flavor twist.

  • Nutty Upgrade: I’ve tossed in toasted hazelnuts or walnuts once or twice to add crunch and complementary flavor — my family goes crazy for the added texture.
  • Salted Caramel Surprise: Try sprinkling flaky sea salt on top right after baking for bursts of salty-sweet goodness.
  • Diet-Friendly: Swapping out half the butter for coconut oil works pretty well if you want something dairy-free, although texture changes slightly.
  • Chocolate Chip Mix: Feel free to use all mini chips or mix mini and regular chocolate chunks for different melt spots.

How to Make Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Measure Flour and Cocoa with Care

This step sounds small but makes a huge difference. Instead of scooping flour or cocoa directly with your measuring cup, which packs it down and can dry out your dough, gently stir the flour or cocoa in its container first, spoon it into your cup until heaped, then level it off with a knife. This keeps your cookie tender and perfectly moist — I discovered this trick after a few crumbly batches!

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift together your measured flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Sifting prevents lumps and makes mixing them into the butter mixture effortless. I always do this the night before on busy days and leave the sifted mix covered at room temp so it’s ready to go.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat room temperature butter until soft and creamy. Then add light brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla and beat for about 2 more minutes. This step takes your cookies from “okay” to “wow” because a well-creamed base traps air for better texture. I usually scrape down the bowl halfway through to keep everything even.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients Carefully

Pour in the dry ingredients and cover your mixer with a kitchen towel to avoid a flour explosion — trust me, it happens! Pulse the mixer on low speed a few times, then check. You want just enough mixing to combine everything without overworking the dough. The dough will look a bit crumbly and that’s exactly right. Then fold in the chopped chocolate pieces gently to avoid breaking them up too much.

Step 5: Form Dough Logs and Chill

Turn the dough onto a work surface and gently gather it together. Divide in half and shape each portion into a log about 1½ inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours — this chilling step firm ups the dough for perfect slices. My experience: skipping the chill leads to misshapen cookies that spread too much.

Step 6: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 325°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Slice chilled logs into ½ inch thick rounds with a sharp knife — they might crack a bit, but just press pieces back on. Place rounds about an inch apart. Bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes. Don’t expect the cookies to look fully set; they firms up as they cool, giving you that tender texture we all love.

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Pro Tips for Making Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe

  • Use Quality Cocoa: I learned that Dutch-process cocoa gives a smoother flavor which pairs perfectly with bittersweet chocolate — but natural cocoa can give a brighter note if you prefer.
  • Don’t Overmix After Adding Flour: The dough should remain a bit crumbly before the chocolate goes in — this keeps them tender.
  • Chill the Dough Thoroughly: A well-chilled log slices cleanly and prevents spreading in the oven.
  • Slice with a Sharp Knife: I avoid jagged edges and crumbling by using a sharp, thin blade; if cracks appear, just pinch them back.

How to Serve Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe

The image shows a cluster of round, thick chocolate cookies stacked closely on a cooling rack. Each cookie is dark brown with a rough, cracked surface lightly sprinkled with small sea salt flakes and tiny red specks. Large chunks of melted chocolate are scattered throughout the tops, creating darker patches with shiny textures. The cookies have a slightly uneven, homemade shape with soft edges and a dense, rich texture visible on each piece. The background beneath the cooling rack is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep these cookies simple, but sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking for a delightful salty-sweet contrast. On festive occasions, dusting them lightly with powdered sugar adds a pretty, cozy touch.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or a classic glass of cold milk — truly a match made in cookie heaven. For a grown-up twist, they also pair beautifully with a rich, creamy espresso or even a glass of bold red wine at dessert time.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gift-giving, I slice the dough logs, wrap the rounds in parchment, and arrange them artfully in a decorative tin. At parties, stacking these cookies on a tiered dessert stand really makes them the centerpiece, inviting guests to reach for seconds immediately!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for about 4-5 days — although in my house, they disappear much quicker! If they start to lose that just-baked softness, a quick reheat revives them nicely.

Freezing

I love freezing the dough logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil — it makes spontaneous cookie baking a breeze. When you’re ready, slice from frozen (no need to thaw) and add a minute or so to the baking time. It’s a game changer for last-minute sweet cravings.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked feel, pop leftover cookies into a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, wrapped loosely in a paper towel. This little trick restores softness without drying them out.

FAQs

  1. Can I use a different type of chocolate in Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe?

    Absolutely! While the original recipe calls for bittersweet chocolate, you can experiment with semi-sweet or even milk chocolate if you want a sweeter cookie. Just keep the pieces fairly uniform in size for even melting.

  2. What if I don’t have fleur de sel for the salt?

    No worries — fine sea salt works perfectly fine and provides the right flavor balance. Avoid coarse salts that won’t dissolve well during baking.

  3. Can I skip chilling the dough?

    Chilling is key to achieving the right texture and shape. Skipping it may cause the cookies to spread too much and become thin and crispy instead of tender, so I don’t recommend skipping this step.

  4. How do I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

    Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread inside the container can help keep them moist longer.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe that keeps me coming back. Whether you’re baking for yourself or to brighten someone’s day, these cookies deliver that perfect blend of chocolate richness and tender texture every time. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making — and sharing — these delightful treats as much as I do. Give them a try and watch how quickly they become a favorite in your kitchen.

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Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 80 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 49 minutes
  • Yield: About 36 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Pierre Hermé and Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookies are decadent chocolate cookies featuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with rich cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate chips, and a hint of fleur de sel, these cookies are cooled into logs, sliced, and baked to perfection. Their soft, slightly underbaked centers and crackled edges make them irresistible treats perfect for sharing with loved ones.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup (175 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (150 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup (120 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Chocolate

  • 5 ounce (150 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips (no pieces larger than 1/3 inch), or a generous 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Measure flour and cocoa: Stir the flour and cocoa powder briefly in their containers to aerate. Spoon lightly into measuring cups, heap above the rim, then level with a straight-edged knife. Avoid scooping directly to prevent excess and dry dough.
  2. Sift dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda to combine evenly.
  3. Cream butter and sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract; beat for an additional 2 minutes until well combined and fluffy.
  4. Add dry ingredients: Turn off the mixer and pour in the dry ingredients. Cover the mixer with a kitchen towel to prevent flour flying. Pulse the mixer on low speed about 5 times in 1–2 second bursts. Check the dough and pulse more if large patches of flour remain. Then mix for about 30 seconds on low speed just until flour is incorporated. Add the chopped bittersweet chocolate and mix briefly only to combine.
  5. Form dough logs and chill: Turn the dough onto a clean surface, gather together, and divide in half. Shape each half into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days. Logs can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw slightly before slicing.
  6. Prepare oven and baking sheets: Center a rack in your oven and preheat to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Slice dough into rounds: Using a sharp, thin knife, cut the chilled dough logs into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. They may crack—simply press the cracks back together on each slice. Arrange the cookie rounds on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake cookies: Bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underbaked and soft, which is desired for their tender texture. After baking, transfer the sheet to a cooling rack and allow cookies to rest until just warm before serving. Let cool to room temperature if preferred.

Notes

  • Measuring flour and cocoa powder lightly prevents overly dry and crumbly dough.
  • For best texture, avoid overmixing once flour is added.
  • Butter must be at room temperature for smooth creaming.
  • Dough logs can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 2 months.
  • Frozen dough can be sliced and baked directly, adding one minute to baking time.
  • Cookies will appear underbaked when removed but will set as they cool.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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