Description
Delightful Espresso Snowball Cookies bring Italian coffee culture into classic holiday baking with rich, buttery texture and deep mocha notes. Powdered sugar coating adds elegant winter charm, making these compact treats perfect for coffee enthusiasts and cookie lovers seeking sophisticated seasonal indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and powdered sugar in a spacious mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a cloud-like, aerated consistency.
- Incorporate vanilla essence and finely ground espresso powder, blending thoroughly to distribute coffee nuances evenly.
- Sift together flour, dark cocoa powder, and a delicate pinch of salt in a separate container, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gently introduce dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring with minimal manipulation to preserve the dough’s tender texture.
- Delicately fold chopped chocolate or miniature chocolate morsels throughout the dough, creating pockets of rich, molten potential.
- Using palms, craft uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, positioning them with gentle precision onto a parchment-lined baking surface.
- Heat the oven to 350°F, allowing precise temperature equilibration before nestling the cookie orbs inside for 12-15 minutes, watching for subtle firmness without excessive browning.
- Allow cookies momentary respite from oven’s heat, then luxuriously enrobe each in a cascade of powdered sugar, creating a pristine, snow-kissed exterior.
- Once completely cooled, execute a second dusting of powdered sugar, enhancing the wintery aesthetic and sealing in the cookies’ delicate essence.
Notes
- Adjust espresso powder intensity to match your coffee preference, from subtle hints to bold, robust flavors.
- Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips for unique taste variations.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain perfect round cookie shape.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg