Coffee Beans Cookies

Coffee Bean Cookies – A Delight for the Holidays

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Number of Servings: 20-25 cookies

One of life’s greatest pleasures is combining your favorite flavors into a dessert that delights the senses. Coffee Bean Cookies are an excellent choice for holiday gatherings, offering a perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of cocoa. They not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also add an elegant touch to your festive table. Inspired by Laura Sava's recipes, this quick dessert is ideal for moments when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

Necessary Ingredients:

- 200 g butter, at room temperature
- 65 g chocolate (preferably dark)
- 100 g sugar
- 30 g cocoa powder
- 300 g flour
- 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee dissolved in one tablespoon of hot water or milk

Ingredient Details:

- Butter: Choose a good quality butter, as it is the base of flavor in cookies. Soft butter will help mix the ingredients evenly.
- Chocolate: A high cocoa content chocolate will enhance the flavor of the cookies. Melting it in a double boiler ensures a smooth and creamy texture.
- Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness but also helps caramelize the cookies during baking.
- Cocoa: Cocoa powder adds a deep chocolate flavor, balancing the coffee aroma.
- Instant Coffee: Instant coffee provides a rich and intense note, perfectly complementing the chocolate.

Step by Step – Making Coffee Bean Cookies:

1. Preparing the Base: In a large bowl, add the soft butter and sugar. Use a mixer or spatula to cream them together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This step is essential for incorporating air, which will make the cookies fluffier.

2. Adding the Chocolate: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (placing it in a bowl over a pot of hot water) and let it cool slightly. Then, incorporate it into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well until homogeneous.

3. Including the Coffee: Dissolve the two teaspoons of instant coffee in hot water or milk and add it to the mixture. Stir until well combined.

4. The Flour and Cocoa: Sift the flour, cocoa, and baking powder together to avoid lumps. Add this mixture to the bowl and knead by hand or with a spatula until you get a homogeneous dough. The dough will have a slightly crumbly consistency.

5. Chilling the Dough: Form a ball from the dough and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. Chilling helps firm up the butter, which will keep the cookies' shape during baking.

6. Shaping the Cookies: After an hour, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Break off small pieces and shape them into bean-like forms. Use a knife or toothpick to draw a line down the center of each bean, giving them a distinctive look.

7. Baking: Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Arrange the coffee beans at equal distances to allow air to circulate during baking. Preheat the oven to 180°C (low to medium heat) and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Watch the edges; they should be slightly firm while the center remains soft.

8. Cooling: After baking, let the cookies cool on a wire rack. This step is important as the cookies will firm up as they cool.

Practical Tips:

- Vegan Option: You can replace the butter with margarine or coconut oil, and the chocolate with a vegan one for a vegan-friendly version.
- Flavor Additions: Try adding a splash of vanilla extract or almond essence for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serving: These cookies are excellent served alongside a cup of coffee or tea. You can glaze them with melted chocolate for an elegant look and an even richer taste.

Nutritional Benefits:

Coffee Bean Cookies are not just delicious but also a source of antioxidants due to the chocolate and coffee. Moderate consumption of dark chocolate may offer heart benefits and improve mood. Although they are sweet, the basic ingredients provide a small amount of nutrients, making them a better choice compared to other heavily processed desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions:

- Can I use another type of flour? Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat flour, but the texture will be different.
- How long do they last? The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Can I freeze the cookies? Absolutely! You can freeze the cookies before baking, shaping them and keeping them wrapped in plastic.

Coffee Bean Cookies are not just a simple recipe but also an opportunity to create special moments with loved ones. Enjoy every bite and let the flavors envelop you, bringing warmth and joy to your home!