cappuccino coins

You know you loved those walnut crisps. They were easy, they were delicious. So what if you ate them all? But we're upping the ante now. Same procedure, and just a little chocolate.

Cappuccino coins

makes 10 dozen cookies

4 oz. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 extra-large egg
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. instant coffee powder or granules
1 ½ tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. fine sea salt
½ cup (2 ounces) finely chopped semisweet chocolate (1/8- inch bits)

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars on medium speed until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the flour, instant coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate bits; mix thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes.

Gather the dough together and turn onto a lightly floured board. Using lightly floured hands, roll the dough into 2 or 3 even 1-inch-thick logs. Wrap the logs separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Move an over rack to the middle position. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice the logs into ¼ inch thick coins, and place them ½ inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

One sheet at a time, bake until the cookies are lightly golden and are firm enough at the edges to slide off the parchment without sticking, 15 to 17 minutes. Cool in the baking sheets set on wire racks.


The real beauty of these cookies, as well as the walnut crisps and two other recipes that I have yet to share with the world, is that they are small and delicate, which makes them great for cookie trays. Folks can sample without overeating. But my favorite thing about these cookies is that the dough logs are easily wrapped in decorative paper and given as housewarming or holiday gifts, complete with baking instructions. The dough will live well in the freezer for a month or two, if you can actually resist that long. Just be sure to defrost in the fridge.