Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Delicious Little Espresso Cookies~



I stumbled across these on the net on SK's beautiful blog..apparently everyone's faves for a while!
I can see why..

They are perfect if you love shortbreads..I do.. coffee.. I do..and cute..I do:)



You cut them all 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches.. well for my tablespoon of espresso and tablespoon of boiling water container..I had to cut 3 much smaller..as the cup is 1.5 inches:)

Here is the recipe..

Espresso-Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Baking: From My Home to Yours

I have to admit that one of the coolest things about this is the rolling-in-a-bag technique. Why have I never thought of this before? This is a common refrain whenever I make Dorie recipes.

Makes 32 cookies

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 tablespoon boiling water
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (plain, or a toffee variety), finely chopped, or 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

1. Dissolve the espresso in the boiling water, and set aside to cool to tepid.

2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth. Beat in the vanilla and espresso, then reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, mixing only until it disappears into the dough. Don’t work the dough much once the flour is incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate with a sturdy rubber spatula.

3. Using the spatula, transfer the soft, sticky dough to a gallon-size zipper-lock plastic bag. Put the bag on a flat surface, leaving the top open, and roll the dough into a 9 x 10 1/2 inch rectangle that’s 1/4 inch thick. As you roll, turn the bag occasionally and lift the plastic from the dough so it doesn’t cause creases. When you get the right size and thickness, seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or for up to 2 days.

4. Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

5. Put the plastic bag on a cutting board and slit it open. Turn the firm dough out onto the board (discard the bag) and, using a ruler as a guide and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the baking sheets and carefully prick each one twice with a fork, gently pushing the tines through the cookies until they hit the sheet.

6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The shortbreads will be very pale–they shouldn’t take on much color. Transfer the cookies to a rack.

7. If you’d like, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while they are still hot. Cool the cookies to room temperature before serving.





It surprises me they were always at my fingertips in my beautiful book..:)

Baking From My Home To Yours..

The chef/author? Dorie Greenspan..an idol:)

9 comments:

  1. Monique, these look delicious! And I love your cup & saucer set. I'm definitely going to make these. They're right up my alley. :)

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  2. Hi Monique,
    These cookies look delicious. I would love one (or more...) right now. Have a lovely weekend! I'm planning on catching up on your posts this weekend and looking forward to seeing what I missed while away. Ooh, I see a photo of Madeleines from a previous post calling my name!
    xo~Tracie

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  3. Shortbread AND chocolate - they are calling my name! I have to cover my ears for a little while, though :)

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  4. You are so disciplined..just one? They look delicious...I have to read my book more!

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  5. i hope you like them.. they're small there's room for 1 for everyone~

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  6. Oh yum - chocolate and espresso. I have to try that plastic bag technique. It makes so much sense.
    Beautiful photos too!

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  7. These look so good! I can't wait to try. (And your photos are gorgeous!)

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