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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Sweet Saturday: Chocolate Espresso Fudge Cookies

Hello, my sweet friends! I hope your weekend is going marvelously. :o)

I've made more cookies in the last year than ever before, largely due to the small baking time slots available. I do love cookies and the endless flavor possibilities, but I long to make a beautiful layer cake... smoothing the icing with the fancy angled and straight spatulas my mom gave me for my birthday in November. And piping a pretty border and maybe trying a flower. So many were planned for holidays and birthdays, but they could never happen. (Oh the Christmas winter wonderland I had my heart set on baking!) My sweetheart has a long weekend coming up and I'm hoping to bake him the layer cake I've promised for quite some time.

And for Autumn, my baking heart hopes to return to royal iced cookies. My first foray into the fancy-decorated-cookie world last Christmas was such a joy and I can hardly believe I've yet to have a second attempt. (Oh the beauties I had planned for Valentine's!) I have such an affinity for decorating, be it cards, cakes, or cookies.

That said, there is certainly delight to be found in a simpler cookie and they are such fun to bake! I know some of you aren't espresso fans, but you can bake these for someone who IS and they'll love you forever. ;)

So chocolaty... so espresso-y... Chocolate Espresso Fudge Cookies!
A cookie that tastes like an espresso-laced fudgy brownie... these are spectacular. Despite being simple in appearance AND easy to make, they pack a wallop of flavor. I actually made these a couple of months ago, but couldn't post them because I got wrapped up in I Feel the Love creations. Yet they still stand out in my mind because they were that fantastic.

Espresso innately brings out the best in chocolate, making it richer. While it is often used to enhance the chocolate flavor while being undetected in the finished product, these retain that robust, dreamy espresso flavor. My entire kitchen was filled with the scent of chocolate and espresso while they baked... which was glorious! These are a perfect candidate for holiday goodie packages or festivities where oodles of varieties are enjoyed together. These cookies are exactly what you'd expect based on their name, and with such a wonderfully intense flavor. :o)

Thank you for visiting! Have a beautiful rest of the weekend. :o)

Chocolate Espresso Fudge Cookies
Yield: Approximately 30 cookies (or less if you make larger ones like I do...)

Ingredients:
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 large eggs
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
¾ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts (Optional- I left these out.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ยบ F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

In a double boiler or a bowl set over a saucepan of barely-simmering water, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup chocolate chips, and butter. Stir until smooth, then remove bowl from heat.

With an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs, sugar, and espresso powder on high speed until very thick and pale and the mixture forms a ribbon when beaters are lifted, approximately 3 minutes. Add the chocolate mixture and beat until combined. 

Into the mixture, sift flour, baking powder, and salt and stir just until combined. Stir in remaining chocolate chips and walnuts (if using). 

Drop batter by heaping tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake in middle of oven for 8-10 minutes, or until puffed and cracked on top. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.



9 comments:

  1. Sure looks yummy, aw I'm not really into fudge.
    TFS Karen - great for all those choco lover's....

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  2. My sweetest friend, I'm not a coffee drinker, but these look absolutely delicious!! And I do love chocolate!! I think I would leave the walnuts out, too. I do love nuts, but not in cookies (I know, I'm strange ;) I can't wait to see you do more of the fancy decorated cookies!! Your Christmas ones were amazing!! And I bet the layer cake you make for your sweetie will be divine!! I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!! Happy Saturday!! Huge HUGS :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  3. Oh MY. It's like a cookie from heaven. *sappy sigh* Thanks for making me smile (and drool a little) this morning. :)

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  4. HI Karen,
    Love to see this yummy post...LOL!!Like look just like brownies...oh!! that's yummy! I want to try to make these for my neighbors. I wish I was your neighbor...LOL!
    I could just see it now....us eating cookies with a cup of coffee, talking,laughing and more eating..lol!
    Sending you hugs, smiles and lots of LOVE
    Millie
    your angelic friend

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  5. Oh they do look delicious Karen, l like any kind of cookie and these are going to be on my make list thank you for sharing this take care x

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  6. Ohhhh, these DO look good! I'm not one for coffee but I would not turn down an offer of one (or two!) of these cookies!! Anything tastes better with chocolate!

    I'm so excited to see the cake you'll bake for your sweetheart!! (Don't forget, you promised him!!) Like you, I'm so busy that much of my baking is the quick and simple - but it is a joy to be able to spend extra time on fancier creations. That said, I am not a cake decorator and know I'll be so impressed with your cake.

    Thanks so much for your uplifting words on my blog. My heart sang when I read them. You noted above that you have such an affinity for decorating, be it cards, cakes, or cookies. Know that you decorate spirits too. xox

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  7. These sound and look absolutely delish!! I am sure your sweetheart will love the dessert you plan to make him-it sounds wonderful!
    Thanks for sharing yet another yummy recipe!!!!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow! These cookies look fantastic! I will definitely be printing out this recipe! Thanks for sharing! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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