Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies Redux

I posted this last year, and now that I am beginning my Christmas baking for this year and plan to make a batch of these tomorrow, I thought I would repost this.  These cookies are a big hit and a favorite of my family and friends.

One of my favorite cookbooks is Baking From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan, and this recipe is from that book. 

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks unsalted butter (8 ounces) at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
2 large eggs
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped into chips or chunks
1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans*



*I used chocolate that had almonds in it and did not use any extra nuts.

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together the flour and baking soda.
With a stand mixer beat the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until smooth.
Add the sugars and beat until well blended about 2 minutes or so.
Beat in the vanilla and the espresso powder.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating 1 minute after each egg goes in.
With the mixer speed on low slowly add the dry ingredients until they are incorporated.
On low speed mix in the chocolate and nuts.
Spoon the dough by slightly rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between spoonfuls.
Bake the cookies--one sheet at a time and rotating the sheet at the midway point--for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are brown at the edges and golden in the center.  Allow the cookies to rest for a minute, then carefully, using a wide metal spatula, transfer them to racks to cool to room temperature.
This makes about 4 dozen cookies.

I like to make my own chunks and chips because I can use a better grade of chocolate than is in the commercial chocolate chips.

I chipped this coffee crunch chocolate bar.

I chipped some of this bittersweet chocolate with almonds.

Ready for the oven.

Cooling on wire rack.

A plate of cookies.

 These will be enjoyed on Christmas Eve.

Macadamia Nut Cookies for an Aussie Themed Party

Macadamia nut, chocolate chip cookies.

I recently gave a little dinner party for family and friends, some of whom will be traveling to Australia this summer.  Although the barbecue and trimmings were catered, I wanted to make a dessert that would fit into the Aussie theme for the party.  I understand a traditional dessert in Australia is pavlova, but I wasn't keen to experiment with that. (However, my interest in this dessert has been piqued, and I plan to try making this before the summer ends.)

Pavlova, a popular dessert in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo from Wikipedia.)

Since macadamia nuts are native to Australia (not Hawaii as many believe) I decided to make macadamia nut cookies.  Here's the recipe I found from Taste of Home. 

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1 teaspoon salt ( I omitted the salt, because the macadamia nuts I used were salted.)
2 jars (3-1/2 ounces each) macadamia nuts, chopped 
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 
1 cup (6 ounces) white baking chips  

Directions 

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. 

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and beat for 2 minutes. Stir in nuts and chips. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

 Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on pans for 1 minute before removing to wire racks; cool completely. Yield: about 6 dozen.

Chill in refrigerator for a few hours.

 

Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet.

 

Cool on rack.

Ready to serve.

 These are easy to make and are quite delicious.

Meeting Blogger Judy of Judy's Kitchen

One of the nicest things I've done while in New Bern this week was meet blogger Judy of Judy's Kitchen.  I ran across one of her blogs when "googling"  for Captain Ratty's.  I contacted her, she invited me over, and we had a nice visit in her beautiful kitchen.  I'm a novice blogger, and I picked up some tips from Judy who has been blogging for several years.  She has three blogs:  Judy's Kitchen, The Bear Cupboard, and Crab Recipes. 

Just in time for Valentine's,  Judy has a wonderful post on chocolate desserts, Chocolate Love Recipes.  I can't wait to get home to try one of these, but which one?

Chocolate Cream Pie (Photo by Judy from her Blog.)

Maybe the Chocolate Cream Pie

Judy's Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies (Photo by Judy from her blog.)

or the Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip-Heath bits Cookies

or perhaps the Chocolate Zucchini Muffins or would I have time to try all three?

Judy's Chocolate Zucchini Muffins (Photo by Judy from her blog.)

I'm glad I met Judy and you might like to check out her blog.  It's great.

Grace and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Granddaughter, Grace, was here after school last week, and we made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. 

Grace sifting dry ingredients.

Mixing in the chocolate chips.

The final product.

Time to try one of those cookies.