Mocha Nut Cookies

 

Okay...so I gave up coffee for lent (I know...it's totally awful, right!?) but I can have foods with coffee in it, like ice cream, tiramisu, etc.   I spotted a recipe in my recipe folder called Mocha Nut Cookies, and of course, I had to make them on first sight of the "mocha".  I've been craving coffee majorly (still 2 weeks till lent ends!), and this would satisfy the craving at least a little bit.  And I was right...these definitely satisfied my craving because they were so good!  The coffee flavor isn't very strong, so if you don't like coffee, you'll probably still enjoy these cookies. They're so chocolatey and delicious, with a slight crunch from the nuts.  The addition of melted chocolate makes them very moist, rich, and more chocolatey. And the addition of coffee powder brings out the chocolate flavor even more!  Oh yeah...the cookie dough is incredible as well.  And you know the cookie is gonna turn out good if the cookie dough is good.  Whether you're having a chocolate craving, coffee craving, or just a big dessert craving from a major sweet tooth (that's my life right there), this recipe is sure to satisfy it.

Yield: about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
• 2 teaspoons boiling water
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt over hot (not boiling) water 1/2 cup of the chocolate morsels. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In small cup, dissolve the instant coffee in the 2 teaspoons boiling water. Set aside.
4. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. In large bowl, combine butter, sugars, and coffee. Beat until creamy. Add egg and melted morsels. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in remaining 1-1/2 cups chocolate morsels and nuts. Form into walnut-sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes. Allow to stand 2-3 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.