Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Cafe Coffee Cookies



Cookie baking is one of my all time loves.  It seems like when I pick up an all-purpose cookbook, the first chapter I look for is cookies, followed close behind by breads. I'm always ready to test drive a new cookie recipe.

With the myriad of cookbooks I've collected sitting in different spots in the house, I have no reason whatsoever to be making the same cookie over and over again. These cookbooks and cooking magazines are sitting here just waiting to be opened, looked at and USED.

While flipping through a stack of cooking magazines, I happened across a photo of these cookies.....oh boy, it drew me in and hooked me right away. The list of ingredients was simple-everything was in my refrigerator or cupboard. No more excuses-time to bake!

These mix up in no time at all.  I stayed true to the recipe as written, choosing to use instant espresso over instant coffee because I wanted to make sure the flavor of coffee could be detected in the cookies and espresso powder is a little stronger than instant coffee. I also substituted dark chocolate chips for the semisweet chips. I love dark chocolate and have been using those chips more in cookie recipes in place of semisweet chocolate chips.

What a wonderful twist on a basic chocolate chip cookie these are. They're crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside-the perfect combination in my book. The coffee flavor is not overpowering. It's subtle, yet it adds a nice dimension of flavor.  I normally don't glaze cookies, but decided to give it a try this time, thinking it might add a nice finishing touch. Boy, it sure did-once again, the coffee doesn't overpower-it adds another layer of coffee flavor to an already wonderful cookie. They're a perfect sidekick to a cup of coffee and would be equally good with an ice cold glass of milk.

Am I ever glad I stumbled across this recipe. One taste and it quickly earned a spot on my favorites list.

If you're a coffee and chocolate lover-give these a try. I think they'll put a smile on your face-they sure did mine! :)


Carol 



CAFE COFFEE COOKIES
(Source: slightly adapted from Betty Crocker's Supermoist Cakes magazine-original recipe found HERE)

COOKIES:
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. instant espresso OR instant coffee granules or crystals
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 (12 oz.) pkg. dark chocolate OR semisweet chocolate chips 


COFFEE DRIZZLE:
1/2 tsp. instant espresso OR instant coffee granules or crystals
1 Tbsp. hot water
1/2-3/4 c. confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, egg and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy.  

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, instant espresso (or coffee), baking soda and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture on low speed, beating just until combined. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips.

Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls (I always use a cookie scoop) 2" apart onto ungreased or parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown and the edges are set.  Cool on the pan for 2-4 minutes, then remove the cookies from the pans to wire racks and cool completely.

For the glaze, in a small bowl, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso (or instant coffee) in the hot water. Stir in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and stir until smooth. Add more confectioners' sugar a little at a time, if necessary, until the glaze reaches the desired drizzling consistency.


Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.  Allow the glaze to set before storing the cookies in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper, plastic wrap or foil. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Featured 3/2/16 Thriving on Thursday

Featured 3/4/16 Friday Features Link Party

Featured 3/7/16 Cooking and Crafting with J&J

41 comments:

  1. I love cookies more than anything else. well, except for ice cream......... these look wonderful, wish I could snag one off the plate. better yet, I want to go into the kitchen and make some. LOOKIN GOOD!

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    1. I know you love your coffee-I bet you'd enjoy these.

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  2. I, too, love cookies to the moon and back...I don't think I've ever had one I didn't like...but these.... o, my...they sound so good and I can't wait to make them in the morning...I love cookies for breakfast, with fruit and coffee...
    thanks so much for the recipe.
    here from A Daily Cup....

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    1. Thanks bj-I hope you enjoy them. I'll confess...if they're here I sometimes sneak one in the morning...after all, they have COFFEE in them so that makes it OK, right? :)

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  3. I am with Cyndy.....ice cream is number #1 followed by chocolate chip cookies, and this one sounds amazing. How can you not love anything with chocolate and coffee. Yum, this is on my must try list.

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    1. homemade ice cream and these cookies? oh yeah

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    2. You and Cyndy can have my share of ice cream, Myra...that's a ways down on my favorites list. :) I hope you like them if you decide to give the recipe a try.

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  4. I will be making these for my neighbor Lady. she sent me some flowers yesterday. Just because Flowers..She does those things for me. Its like she knows when I'm down and need a pick me up.She's in her late 80's. Such a sweet heart..Thank you Carol for sharing..

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    1. What a nice surprise from your neighbor, Dottiemaye. She sounds like a lovely lady-and I'm sure she would love a plate of cookies.

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  5. These sound so good! I was just thinking of making cookies this afternoon and wasn't sure what to make but I think this just decided it for me!

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  6. So I just made them.... and they are AMAZING!! I'm not even a coffee person but I love these (made them with instant french vanilla coffee).

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    1. Thank you SO much for letting me know that you tried these and enjoyed them. What a great idea using French Vanilla instant coffee-I bet that added a really nice flavor in the cookie and glaze.

      Have one for me! :)

      Carol

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    2. I was SO SO SO Happy to see you linked up at the Cookie Exchange on The Lazy Gastronome. We were just talking about these cookies the other day and I was so afraid that I might not be able to find the recipe again. Pinned (again!).

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  7. I'm with you…I love cookies! They are always the perfect dessert!

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    1. I'm with you Colleen-a cookie for dessert is always a good thing.

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  8. I'm right there with you - cookies are my most favorite thing to bake!! And I love them with a cup of coffee, so when I can have the 2 rolled into one...I'm on it. Pinning and will be trying these soon. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck. Please come back again soon.

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    1. Thanks for the pin, Marsha. I hope you like them. They're a nice change from regular chocolate chip cookies-and go SO well with a nice hot cup of coffee.....a perfect reason to take a coffee break, wouldn't you say? :)

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  9. These sound so good! I may have to whip up a batch soon :) Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I found your recipe on Pinterest & these sound so good! I can't wait to try them!

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  11. Another fun recipe to try - thanks for sharing at SYC.

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    1. Thanks so much-they're as fun to eat as they are to make. :)

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  12. I love your cookie recipe!
    TFS it at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

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    1. Thanks Julie-wish I could pass you the plate!

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  13. Oh my! This is just my kind of recipe! Thank you for sharing it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays Carol and Linda!! I have saved it :)

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    1. Ohhh they're doggone good cookies, JES......hard to stay out of when I have a container of them on the counter. :)

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  14. These look so good - Thanks for sharing!!

    I just wanted to drop a note and invite you to come join us at Sunday's Simple Homemaker Link-Up. Would love to have you link-up!! http://www.prairiegalcookin.com/sundays-simple-homemaker-1st-weekly-link-up

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    1. Thanks Ashleigh. I'll pass your info on to Linda, the blog owner. :)

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  15. Thanks so much for the pin and share, Marilyn. Hope you like them if you give them a try.

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  16. I love coffee anything, so I know these have to be delicious! Pinning these!

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  17. Yum! This sounds delicious! Gotta love coffee!

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    1. Hi Morgan-I'm with you-coffee is some pretty good stuff-even when it's in cookies. :)

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  18. This recipe looks like perfection to me! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Brag About It! Pinned and tweeted :)
    ~Laurie

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  19. Hi Carol. These look delicious and a little indulgent, just right for a morning coffee. Can't wait to try them. I'm featuring these at tomorrow's party. Thanks so much for linking up at Thriving on Thursdays. It's always good to see you.

    Anne @ Domesblissity

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  20. OH my gosh. I just drooled! YUMMY! I've pinned these! :)

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  21. I'm happy to announce that we featured this recipe at our Monday Cooking and Crafting with J & J. Thanks!

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  22. Cafe coffee cookies looks really yumm love it, thanks for shairg with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.

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  23. These are really pretty cookies! Thanks for sharing on the Great Cookie Exchange!

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  24. I can see alot of people selecting these at a cookie swap! Thanks for sharing at our celebrate365 Cookie exchanage!

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