Chocolate Cherry Espresso Cookies

chocolate cherry espresso cookies

 

 This month’s theme – foods we bake for the people we love – was originally inspired by Valentine’s Day. Though as the end of the month rolls around, I’m finding a different meaning and am feeling feeling particularly mushy (as in sentimental, not as in unpleasantly squishy). As Streusel mentioned, she’s been doing a lot of adulting lately – and as her pal, I wish I could be there to distract her with some clothes shopping, coffee drinking, or spend time harassing her about why she’s given up red wine.

 

Since I can’t be there right now, what I can instead do is send a small token of friendship and support, in the shape and form of a cookie (our pal Erica call these “love gifts.”) As Streusel mentioned, she’s got a thing for chocolate (she’s also got a thing for yak, and there was the time she enjoyed herself some rattlesnake sausage, but I’m less helpful with the exotic meats). She also, bless her, has a deep appreciation of coffee. AND apparently likes a bit of fruit in her chocolate (I know we’ve discussed my hesitancy regarding fruit + chocolate, but this is about Streusel and not me… mostly 😉).

 

So, speeding their way to Streusel via USPS, is a package of these chocolatey, rich, pillowy cookies. The cherries add chewiness, the chocolate-covered espresso beans add a bit of crunch, and the punchy espresso flavor will hopefully remind Streusel that she’s got some fans in Seattle that are thinking of her.

 

A note that these cookies don’t actually have to be Cherry Espresso, they can also be Double Chocolate Almond Espresso Cookies (or really, any other mix-in that fancies you). You see, I wanted to include Addison (Streusel’s spirited, super fun kiddo) in these cookies and figured the chocolate-covered espresso beans may not be her thing. So, I made a batch with chopped almonds and chocolate chunks. Then, I realized that I’d forgotten that the batter has espresso powder in it. Sooo… unless Addison is really in to coffee at an early age, I owe her some cookies. I got you, kiddo.

 

chocolate cherry espresso cookies

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Chocolate Cherry Espresso Cookies


  • Author: Strudel
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 44 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/3 cup dutch process cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • 1/2 cup chocolate covered espresso beans, crushed
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
  • few pinches of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat.
  2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vanilla. Add to the butter and sugar and mix until combined.
  4. Whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and espresso powder. Add all at once to the wet ingredients, mixing on until just combined. 
  5. Stir in the espresso beans and dried cherries.
  6. Using a tablespooh-sized cookie scoop, drop the dough on to the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle kosher salt on top and place in the oven. 
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are a bit cracked and the cookies look dry on top. Remove from the oven, let cool on the pan for about 5 minutes then transfer to a baking rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • To crush the espresso beans, I placed them in a zip-top bag and used a rolling pin to crush
  • Any mix-ins will do, you just want to measure out about a 1 to 1/2 cups’ worth of ingredients. After I made the basic dough, I divided it and made half with the cherry and coffee beans and the other half with chopped almonds and chocolate chunks. 
  • Next time I made these, I’m adding in cocoa nibs. I think they will be divine!
  • Category: Dessert

 

 

 

 

 

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