Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Christmas Baking: Espresso Delights

December 10, 2009 · Narrative

Espresso Delights

Yup, ’tis the season.  The baking bonanza officially kicked off this past weekend, and these Espresso Delights were the beauty of the bunch.  As soon as I pulled them from the oven, the kitchen instantly smelled like espresso.  Even though I don’t drink the stuff, I still love the rich, deep aroma that punctuates the air.

I’m not one for long, involved, drawn-out, intricate, fiddly cookie recipes.  I just honestly don’t have the patience for it.  Nor the time.  Although I love baking, I want to get in and get out.  This way I can make more cookies.  Different types.  Try more new recipes.  The less fussy they are, the more new recipes I can try.  And these Espresso Delights were right up my alley.

The recipe comes from the Ultimate Cookies magazine, one of those special publications that come out around the holidays.  The cookies come together in nothing flat.  Before you know it, you’re pulling them from the oven, dusting them with confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder, and popping them in your mouth.  Oh.  You wait for them to cool first?  Fine then.

Their taste?  They remind me a bit of shortbread, definitely packed with buttery goodness.  A little along the lines of Mexican Wedding Cakes if you get my drift.  With a hint of espresso.  And chocolate.  Really.  Do you think I’d steer you wrong?  With caffeine and chocolate, you have a few of your major food groups covered.

These little round circles of espresso chocolatey goodness would be perfect for your next cookie exchange, or cookie platter, or just to fill up your cookie jar.  Ours had been empty (gasp!) for the past two weeks.  Empty no more.

Tray of Espresso Delights

Espresso Delights
Recipe courtesy of Ultimate Cookies magazine

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder or regular instant coffee crystals
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
powdered sugar and/or unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Preheat oven to 325. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  (I mixed by hand)  Add the 2/3 cup powdered sugar, the espresso powder, vanilla and cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour and the chocolate. If necessary, knead dough slightly to blend.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I used small scoop). Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press to flatten slightly (I used a spatula to flatten two at a time). Bake 12 minutes or until cookie edges are set and bottoms are lightly browned. (Mine needed a few extra minutes)  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Sift additional powdered sugar and cocoa powder over cooled cookies.

Makes 36 cookies (I got 42).

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Christmas baking, cookie jar, Espresso Delights, Ultimate Cookies magazine

Comments

  1. Jaimie says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Those look good. I gotta say though, I’m all for the fussy type of cookies. Baking soothes me.

    Reply
  2. patsy says

    December 10, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    they look like a perfect treat to bake and share this time of year!

    Reply
  3. Margaret says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Ooh, these look delicious and sound easy! I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  4. Joanne says

    December 11, 2009 at 7:16 am

    I am so looking for simple cookies to make this holiday season. I am an inexperienced cookie baker and want things that are somewhat foolproof and yet still delicious. These sound ideal!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Caron says

    December 11, 2009 at 7:51 am

    I have a ton of instant coffee that I have been tucking to the side for baking. These cookies look like a perfect use for it. Yum!

    Reply
  6. chris says

    December 11, 2009 at 9:40 am

    yummmm… cookies…… mmmmmmm….

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    December 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    I’ve been searching for another kind of cookie to bake this weekend – these look perfect!

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    December 12, 2009 at 12:16 am

    I lost my baking mojo while preparing for a bake sale, and these brought it right back! Thanks for such an easy, tasty treat.

    Reply
  9. so Spiffy says

    December 13, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    I just love Mexican wedding cakes/cookies… these really look and sound fanfabulous. PERFECT… you are giving me ideas ..tis the season..

    Reply
  10. Jeff says

    December 14, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Coffee and cookies?? Sign me up!!!

    Plus nice to meet another baker who is not into dealing with 4 day cookie recipes that involve trekking through the Andes to pick your own chocolate.

    Nicely done!

    Reply
  11. Amanda says

    December 14, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    Well, speaking as one of those bakers who DOES treck four days into the Andes to find my own chocoalte… or, just takes four days to finish sugar cookies…

    I really appreciate a simple but delicious recipe! This looks great and your pictures are wonderful!

    Be blessed-
    Amanda

    Reply
  12. Bears Decor says

    March 2, 2010 at 12:06 am

    I love anything that is flavored with coffee, throw chocolate in there and we’ve got it on. thanks for the great recipe. Looks great.

    Reply

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.

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