BRAZILIAN COFFEE COOKIES

In August, I was asked to bake a few goodies for my boyfriend's birthday that was going to be celebrated at work. I had to think for long before I could find which kind of cookie I would make - we all know how "snotty" some people can be when it comes to food... Finally, I discovered this "Brazilian Coffee Cookies" recipe on www.cdkitchen.com (that I adapted slightly) and I immediatly felt relieved as I knew that they'd be well-appreciated since all the people who work there love to drink a cup of coffee during their break!

My choice must have been good, because they all disappearted quite fastly! And having tasted one or two at home (I don't want to "poison" others, so I always test what I make and give my approval before it is handled away!), I can tell you that they were absolutely awesome...

Those "Brazilian Coffee Cookies" are truely delicious. They are crunchy, but not hard and melt away marvelously in the mouth, their coffee flavor is perfectly well-balanced and not overpowering, yet very present. They also look particularly nice and would grace your afternoon tea table beautifully!

All in all, those cookies were really satisfying and so easy to make that I have once more succumbed to the temptation of baking another delightful batch that perfumed the whole apartment with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee...

~ Brazilian Coffee Cookies ~
Recipe by www.cdkitchen.com and slightly adapted by Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums

Makes about 4 dozen.

Ingredients:
1/3 Cup (84g) Unsalted butter
1/2 Cup Packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup Castor sugar
1 Egg (~50g)
1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla extract
1 Tbs Milk
1 Tsp Water, hot
2 Cups Plain white flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Baking soda
1/4 Tsp Baking powder
2 Tbs Instant coffee powder

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Line baking tray with parchment paper.
3. In a small recipient, dissolve the coffee powder in 1 teaspoon hot water.
4. In a bowl, mix together the sieved flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
5. In another bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar (until light and fluffy), then add the vanilla extract, the egg and the milk. Beat until well combined.
6. Add the dissolved coffee and then the flour mixture to the sugar mixture.
7. Mix thoroughly.
8. Shape dough in 2.5 cm (1 inch) balls.
9. Place balls 5 cm (2 inches) apart on prepared baking tray.
10. Flatten to 0.6-0.8 cm (0.2-0.3 inches) with fork or glass dipped in sugar.
11. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
12. Cool on a wire rack.

Remarks:
You can also use light brown sugar.
If the dough is too soft to shape, chill it for about 30-40 minutes.

Serving suggestions:
Those cookies are delicious when enjoyed with a good cup of coffee, a hot chocolate, milk coffee (Café Au Lait) or a glass of chilled milk.

(Brazilian Coffee House -Pic by Fransisco Silva www.trekearth.com)