Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dark Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies



I am so happy that it is Saturday. It was an elongated week with lots of challenges to solve at work. Nothing is impossible, but as they say – challenges make you stronger. With the lengthy week, I was worn down and did not feel 100% last night, so unfortunately missed attending a special event. Staying home last night was just what the doctor ordered.

Today is starting off just perfect. The weather is perfect outside. The birds are singing. I am feeling close to 100% today. Hubby and I had a leisurely morning with coffee and an hour of the weekend edition of Good Morning America. All is good. Now I am relaxing by writing this blog post for these delicious cookies I made last weekend.


They are dark chocolate chip espresso cookies that are extremely rich and supremely satisfying that chocolate craving. I prefer a chewy cookie and a bit on the “cookie dough” side of things, so I experimented and 10 to 12 minutes is perfect if you like this texture. Feel free to cook up to 16 minutes for a bit firmer cookie.


I adapted this recipe from My Baking Addiction who found a copycat recipe for the original inspiration from the Levain Bakery. The Levain Bakery is situated in New York City’s Upper West Side. It is loved by loyal customers and tourists alike, not too mention a good steady stream of folks purchasing online. All goods are baked onsite and with fresh ingredients – the old fashioned way. The bakery was founded in 1994 by Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes who began a discussion about creating the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookie. They have been successful in their endevours with opening other locations in New York.


Here is how they describe the Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie:

“A chocolate lover’s dream, made with dark chocolate cocoa and semi-sweet chips. These chewy, rich cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream. Prepared with an extra dark French cocoa and semisweet chocolate chips, they come out of the oven with molten layers of chocolate swirling together. As beautiful to look at as they are to eat, they’re guaranteed to satiate even a chocoholic’s craving. Wicked self-indulgence best describes these intense chocolate cookies. Dark semisweet cookie is jammed with semisweet chocolate pieces; dense, moist, and dangerously rich, a perfect gift for the ultimate chocolate fanatic or as a gift for yourself. “


Dark Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies

Makes about 18 cookies

2 sticks cold and cubed unsalted butter
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup good quality dark cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon Espresso powder
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle, cream together butter and sugar until well blended and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until well-incorporated, then beat in cocoa powder and espresso powder.

Mix in flour, salt and baking powder until just combined. Gently fold in remaining ingredients.

Transfer dough to clean work surface and gently mix dough by hand to ensure even distribution of ingredients. I used a 1 inch cookie scooper and put two balls together and rolled until one large ball. Laid on cookie sheet and slightly flattened.

Bake in the preheated oven 10 to 12 minutes depending on how gooey you like the middles and longer is crispier.

Let cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.



24 comments:

  1. I love anything chocolate & espresso, and I love cookies. These look great! Have a great weekend, Lisa!

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  2. I wish I could have some chocolate chip cookies, it's one thing I have been missing lately...I got sick with panic disorder and can't have chocolate ...but they looked divine really yummy....Happy weekend..with love Janice...

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  3. I am glad that you are feeling better! Now my mouth is watering by your description of chocolate chip cookies..those look fantastic, and I love your photos! Have a great weekend!

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  4. those looks delicious. with the espresso added it's a perfect excuse to have them for breakfast.

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  5. These sound absolutely fabulous! Awesome idea!

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  6. I too prefer my cookies on the chewier side of the spectrum. And a cookie with coffee IN it? Count me in :)

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  7. I like my cookies chewier too! I've never tried the dark chocolate cocoa powder, I need to change that. I haven't got to WC markets yet, I just moved my daughter home the other night. Tomorrow we are gonna drive up and do a little wine tasting. I'm not cooking for Mother's Day, I like you need a break. Hope your well, being too busy will do that to you. Hope you get some rest in tomorrow.
    -GIna-

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  8. Happy to hear you are feeling better now. Oh I can see these cookies are super rich and will make my day a lot happier. :-) I always have chocolate craving, and I even wish I have this cookie with me! I also love the glass with the dots. So cute!

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  9. I love the combination of dark chocolate and espresso. I must give these cookies a try. They look delicious and could quickly become an addiction!

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  10. This is my ultimate weakness...!!! Wonderful, wonderful! I am officially drooling over here. They look so rich, decadent, so chocolate-y...my perfect midnight snack - hehe! Pinning now...

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  11. hey, reading your blog from a different part of the world here. (:
    What exactly do you mean by '2 sticks' of butter, how many grams is that?

    thanks (:

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! Two sticks is equal to one cup of butter, enjoy!

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  12. My chocolate sweet tooth is salivating at the moment! Looks incredibly dark and delish :)pinned this.

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  13. OMG - these cookies definitely satisfy any chocolate craving! Over the top delicious :)

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  14. My kind of cookies! Chocolate and espresso is a winner of a combination. :)

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  15. What a great pairing of two naturally bitter ingredients. I'd feel less guilty about having more than a few :)

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  16. I have a massive chocolate craving every night before bed and usually grab a piece of dark chocolate. I think I will have to make a batch of these incredible cookies to snack on between those pieces of chocolate! :-)

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  17. They sounds delish. You always have the best goodies. Love the pink ribbon :-)

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  18. Oh we each want one of those cookies with some cold milk this very minute!

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  19. I love anything with chocolate and espresso! These cookies look ammmmaaazzing!! :)

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  20. Wow Lisa. So dark and so foreboding, my kind of cookie!!!

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  21. Just made these! I used instant espresso coffee, not sure if it's the same as powder! But the cookies are SOOOO good!!! They're very dense and rich, as dark chocolate is! I can understand why you showed the milk in the picture. Very delicious! Thanks!

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  22. I love chewy cookies, and I really love dark chocolate, plus with the espresso...my kind of treat!

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  23. I just made these..very rich and decadent! The courser salt leads to a different layer of flavor depending on the bite! Thanks :)

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