Skip to main content

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies: Mocha Nut Cookies


It's Friday?  Again?  I think we have the same conversation every week.  Sorry about that.  If you'll remember, last week I talked about a cookie exchange that I was co-hosting.  It wound up being a small group of people, but it was a lot of fun.  I really should dedicate a post just to the cookie exchange, and the baked brie that fought back!

This week's recipe for Mocha Nut Cookies was one of the two recipes that I made for the exchange.  It was a new one for me, and with some modifications I think I like it.  The original recipe said that it would make balls, but mine spread a little more during baking, losing their rounded shape somewhat. 

I'll be honest, my notes trail off about halfway through the recipe, so I'm not 100% sure what I did!  I guess that means I need to make the recipe again to double check things.  This cookie seemed to be a hit at the exchange, so I'll take that as a good sign.  I replaced the instant coffee with espresso powder, and wow!  You could definitely tell why there was the word "mocha" in the title.  Next time, I'll cut back a bit on the espresso powder (I've made that change in the recipe below already). 

Also, I think that I may try rolling the dough into a log, chilling it, and then slicing the cookies before baking next time.  I just want to see what will happen.  These remind me a bit of a sable, and so that's why I thought I'd try the slice and bake method. 

You may also notice that, at least for the next couple of weeks, my blog has a new background.  Yeah.  Don't worry, I didn't make all that cutesy stuff from scratch.  I found a digital kit.  However, I spent about two hours messing with it.  Was it the best use of my time at the moment, considering I have 12,324 things on my to-do list?  Hmmm...probably not.  However, it sure is cute!  ;)

One more thing.  Is anyone else panicked that it's almost Christmas?  I am. 

Mocha Nut Cookies
adapted from Taste of Home

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 Tbsp espresso powder (or 2 Tbsp instant coffee granules)
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
Confectioners' sugar for dusting, optional

Preheat oven to 325'F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium to large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and espresso powder.  Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.  Beat in the vanilla extract.  Gradually add the dry ingredients.  Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips, if using. 

Roll dough into 1-inch balls (I used my #40 disher).  Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.  Bake 14-16 minutes or until firm.  Let cool on baking sheets for a couple of minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

Yield:  4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!  :)



Comments

Sue said…
Your cookies do look good! I noticed your cute background and other Christmas frills right away...very cute! Yes, I'm in a bit of a panic over the fast approaching holiday, but I'm trying to stay clam and let some things go:)
You cookies look absolutely scrumptious! I'm loving your cute background too!

I'm hosting a Christmas Recipe party on Thursday (with prizes). Hope you can stop by!
Anonymous said…
This recipe sounds great. SInce I'm not a huge fan of nuts in cookies, I'm wondering if adding peanut butter would work? I too agree... Christmas is coming too fast!!! :-)
Tracy said…
These look delicious!
Barbara Bakes said…
Christmas did seem to sneak up on me this year. It just occurred to me after reading a post that I haven't given any thought to Christmas meals, just Christmas cookies. It's been a fun 12 weeks.

Popular posts from this blog

Thick and Chewy Snickerdoodles

I admit, I love snickerdoodles.   Cinnamon and vanilla?   Yes, please.   What’s funny is that I never really had them much as a kid, just occasionally in the school cafeteria.   I know, ew. Anyway, snickerdoodles were one of the first cookies that the Munchkin helped make when he was little.   He could help dump everything in the mixer (or “loud noise” as he would call it!) and then it was fun for him to roll the balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar before putting them on the baking sheet. Even since then, my go-to recipe for snickerdoodles has been this one by Emeril.   It’s a great recipe, baking up a thin, crispy cookie (at least when I make them!).   However, I was looking for something different this time, something thicker and chewier.   I found this recipe from the blog How Sweet it Is .   I decided to try it, and while I did keep the ingredient list the same I changed up the method a bit to suit me better.   The result?   What I was looking for – thick and

Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte

I recently professed my love of coffee and fancy coffee drinks.  After the success of the Peppermint Mocha , I decided to tackle the Cinnamon Dolce Latte, another one of my favorites.  According to the Starbucks website, it has flavors of "cinnamon, butter and brown sugar".  Well, I covered the cinnamon and brown sugar components, but left out the butter.  And you know what, I think it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself!  I honestly wasn't sure if the cinnamon flavor in the syrup was going to be strong enough, but it was.  I will admit to being impatient and not letting it steep for very long, so the cinnamon flavor might develop more if you do actually let it sit and cool off first.  If you wanted it to be even stronger, you could always add a tiny bit of cinnamon oil to it as well.  But be careful -- a little of that goes a long way! How much to make depends on how much you'll actually use.  I just made a single batch this first time, but considering

Hello Dolly Cookie Bars

Several years ago, my mom gave me an old cookbook, it was hers but I'm not sure she ever used it, Favorite Recipes from Southern Kitchens:  Desserts .  I love this cookbook!  I thought it would be great to go through it and pick a recipe or two to use for this year's 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats series.  For this week, I chose a super easy one, Hello Dolly Cookies.  I have absolutely no idea where the name came from.  I'm really not sure I've ever eaten one before, though the ladies I shared the finished product with knew about them!  I did an internet search too, and it seems they go by a lot of names, including Magic Layer Bars.  Honestly, they are so easy to make.  There's no mixing required.  Kids could absolutely help with these.  The cookies smelled divine while they were baking, and I barely waited for them to cool before trying one. At first I thought "these taste almost like German chocolate cake", then "or definitely like a ca