Monday, December 9, 2019

Espresso Truffle Cookies: Gifts From the Heart Blog With Friends

Today’s post is the next in our series of Blog With Friends themed collaborations. Each month a group of bloggers get together and each publish a project based on a theme. What I love about his partnership is that it's not bloggers with similar interests or strengths but a diverse group coming up with a variety of posts. In any given month we may a recipe, sewing tutorial, crocheting, crafts project, book review, and/or technology post all related to the theme of the month.

Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme| Featured on and graphic property of www.BakingInATornado.com



This month's theme is Gifts From the Heart.

There will be individual project pictures and links to what everyone else has to offer at the end of my post, but here's a peek at what we all came up with:

Blog With Friends, a multiblogger monthly project based post using a theme. Theme: Gifts From the Heart | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com


I made Espresso Truffle Cookies.

Espresso Truffle Cookies are a perfect holiday treat, whether for home, a cookie exchange or to give out as gifts from the heart. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies

Espresso Truffle Cookies

I remember growing up our family receiving baked goods as gifts for the holidays. Two of them I specifically remember being excited for each year. My mom's friend Ann, who is Armenian, always brought us a platter of Armenian treats. These desserts were sweet and decadent and so interesting because I wasn't familiar with the flavors prevalent in her culture. The other was a plate of holiday cookies baked by our housekeeper. What I loved about this was the diversity of the sweets. There were probably 8 different cookies, a few of each, and what a decorative plate they made.

When the boys were little, at holiday time we would bring little gifts to their teachers, our friends and our neighbors. Initially it was either homemade cookies or bon bons, that came to an end when I ended up joining groups of friends in both cookie bakes and cookie exchanges. From then on, we'd bring platters of quick breads. I'd bake  about 6 different loaves, like my Apricot Almond Quick Bread, Blueberry Lime Bread, Caramel Topped Apple Spice Bread, Cinnamon Nectarine Quick Bread, Coffee Bread and Eggnog Bread. I'd then slice the loaves and add a few of each flavor to all of the platters. 

So despite the fact that I always include recipes in my Blog With Friends posts, there is also a rich history, among my friends and family anyway, of sharing homemade edibles gifts this time of year. The one I'm sharing with you today is Espresso Truffle Cookies. Whether you're making them to keep at home for visiting guests, bringing them to a cookie exchange or delivering them to friends and neighbors, these cookies marry bon bons with cookies for a decadent holiday treat. 

I first want to show you the baking chips I used in these cookies. They are specialty baking chips that I did find in a local mass retailer. I hope you can too. If not, they can be bought online. If you can't find them locally or want to buy them online, I've included alternatives in the recipe write up (below). Using the substitutions will alter the cookie flavors, but they'll still be delicious.


Espresso Truffle Cookies ingredients | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com


The cookie dough comes together quickly and simply in one bowl and with a whisk. It's not a tight dough, though so be sure to refrigerate for at least an hour. I refrigerated overnight.

Espresso Truffle Cookies are a perfect holiday treat, whether for home, a cookie exchange or to give out as gifts from the heart. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies


You'll have to use wet hands to form the dough balls. Even chilled, the dough is sticky, more like a truffle than a cookie dough. Roll them in powdered sugar.
Espresso Truffle Cookies are a perfect holiday treat, whether for home, a cookie exchange or to give out as gifts from the heart. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies

Then just bake. 
Espresso Truffle Cookies are a perfect holiday treat, whether for home, a cookie exchange or to give out as gifts from the heart. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies


As always, any time you make one of my recipes, feel free to post a picture of it to my Baking In A Tornado Facebook Page. I'd love to see it!

Be sure to visit all of this month's other Blog With Friends projects:



Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme, Gifts from the Heart | My Cousin's Magical Unicorn Wedding by Kia of The Ground Beneath My Feet| Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com  
Kia of The Ground Beneath My Feet shares My Cousin’s Magical Unicorn Wedding

Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme, Gifts from the Heart | Hooray for Free Hugs! by Tamara of Cluttered Genius | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com 




Tamara of Part-time Working Hockey Mom shares Hooray for Free Hugs!




Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme, Gifts from the Heart | Gifts From the Heart by Minette of Southern Belle Charm | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com


Minette of Southern Belle Charm shares Gifts of the Heart, Giving What You Can.






Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme, Gifts from the Heart | Orange Sugar Free Cheesecake by Dawn  of Spatulas on Parade | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares Gifts From the Heart, Sharing is Caring..



Blog With Friends, a multi-blogger project based post incorporating a theme, Gifts from the Heart | DIY Wood Slice Ornaments by Lydia of Cluttered Genius | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com 



Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares DIY Wood Slice Ornaments.






Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

Espresso Truffle Cookies
                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients (makes 3 dozen):
6 TBSP butter
1 1/4 cups Espresso baking chips (can substitute 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips and 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee powder)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup Irish Cream baking chips (can substitute white chocolate chips)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
*In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter and the Espresso baking chips (or dark chocolate chips and coffee powder) until completely smooth when stirred.
*Whisk in the sugar and brown sugar. Once completely incorporated, whisk in the vanilla and eggs. Last, whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt.
*Mix in the Irish Cream baking chips, then wrap completely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour and up to overnight.
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 
*Using wet hands, roll the dough into 36 about 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in the powdered sugar and place on the baking sheets.
*Bake for 11 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing them to cool completely.

22 comments:

  1. These look fabulous and sound great! I am so glad you mentioned about the chips. I am going to look for them, really sending the husband on the search.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You've used my two favourite words: Cookie. And Chocolate. When Santa and Mrs. are going Santa-ing, Santa always asks the kids what they think his favourite cookie is. They answer. And he says, "You're right!"
    Cause they always are!
    Adding this one to my 'Karen' baking box!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The cookies sound delicious and I wish I was close enough to be on the receiving end of just one of your cookies. I would apply for taste tester job, I bet there is a waiting list.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My mother who is in her seventies still bakes cookies to give away every year. I have been baking goodies for so long I'm not sure when I started. 18 I think. I need to make these cookies! I have espresso chips, different brand, and the Irish creme chips. Both are delicious!
    Thank you for your gifts of the heart, your friendship and this blog community.
    HUGS
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why I chose cookies for this post, it's definitely the cookie time of year.
      And I thank you for the kind words, I appreciate your friendship as well.

      Delete
  5. They sound nice for some I however, do not like coffee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My house cleaner doesn't like coffee either but she really liked these cookies. Just passing on the info.

      Delete
  6. You love baking so much! I used to bake a lot when I was younger (especially when I was in college)now I admit I use a couple of local bakeries for my cookie needs. But this one sounds so good....sigh. Pinned. For one day. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  7. I didn't even know they made espresso chips!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I made them yesterday and they are fantastic. Husband found the chips at a Walmart. They taste rich and boozy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you found the baking chips, gave the recipe a try and most of all that you enjoyed it so much. Thanks for letting me know.

      Delete
  9. There's nothing better than chocolate unless it is chocolate with coffee (or peanut butter, either one). These look like they could easily become a new favorite!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've made these twice already, and one of my readers has made them too. Loving those espresso baking chips.

      Delete
  10. Love your back stories of childhood cookie memories. Your Espresso Truffle Cookies sound delicious, and I wouldn't mind getting them at all :-)
    I have to say though that we get so many edible gifts at the office, and many of them are simply a question of individual preference, and some can't seem to please anybody.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's the tine of year for sharing childhood memories.

      Delete

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