The morning fog is lingering just a bit longer these days. When I stepped out for a late morning jog cloud cover kept me cool for the entire 6-mile loop when normally the shade-less route would have had me sweating by the end of Mile 1. Out of the blue the other night, lightning flashed followed by loud grumbling from the sky. It’s time to pull the sweaters and heavier scarves out of storage. Autumn is here…
…and I’m happy for its arrival.
As much as I love warm weather, I quite enjoy this time of the year, too. Soon, the temperatures will be low enough to warrant the use of the fireplace and heartier fare will be simmering on the stove. I expect I’ll be baking more, too. Pies and tarts are high on my list this year but I’ll make time for cookies, too. On a cold, rainy afternoon I can’t imagine anything better than being curled up next to the fireplace with a pot of tea, a plate of cookies and a good book.
So it only threatened to rain today; at best it drizzled for a few minutes. It wasn’t quite cold enough to start piling up the firewood…but there was no reason to deny myself the cookies, tea and book. Just call it a head start on the new season.
Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 3 tablespoons boiling water
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon water
- Turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
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Dissolve the cocoa powder and espresso powder in the boiling water in a small bowl.
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Using a hand mixer (original recipe calls for using a stand mixer with paddle attachment but the hand mixer worked, too), beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until the mixture is creamy. Mix in the vanilla and salt then, reducing the mixer's speed, mix in the egg followed by the cocoa mixture. Add the flour in small batches and continue to mix until a smooth dough forms. Since I used a hand mixer here, I used my hands to press the dough together.
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Turn the dough out on a piece of plastic wrap and pat into a square. Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes.
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Preheat your oven to 325°F. Divide the chilled dough into 24 pieces and form into balls. Using a flat-bottomed glass, press each ball into a disk and set on a parchment-lined baking sheet (you may need two baking sheets).
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Combine the egg yolk and water and brush the tops of the disks. Sprinkle with the turbinado sugar and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The original recipe called for baking these for 35 minutes but I think that's too long. Watch the cookies at the 20 minute mark. If they're dry, they're done.
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Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving. May be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
Recipe from Martha Stewart's Cookies. Original recipe is called Chocolate Pretzels but I adapted for the disk-shaped cookies here.
Beautiful cookies, I love your turbinado sugar sprinkle – it’s one of my favorite toppings!
Delicious sounding cookies and gorgeous clicks!
Cheers,
Rosa
It’s hard to beat espresso powder and chocolate in cookie form, they’re lovely! Isn’t wonderful how cooler temps make us automatically want to spend more time in a warm kitchen, and curled up with a favourite book (like Wuthering Heights)? 🙂
I Love your tea pot and cups.
Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the holidays.
Wow, what fantastic photos too!!
That looks so sinfully delicious. Total YUM!
Your chocolate cookies look delicious, I wish I had a couple to go with my afternoon tea;-)
Gorgeous, fun photos, I’ll say it again-love your wood Jean;-) Have a wonderful weekend!
Once again, Jean, beautiful beautiful beautiful (did I say beautiful?) styling! And the cookies…you need to sell these online or something! They looks absolutely professional-quality, delicious, inviting, enticing…think I used too many adjectives yet? Can’t help it!
Oh, I need these cookies and SOON!!!! Your photos are simply fabulous…as are these chocolate treats!
Jean – Don’t you just love this weather. I bet at your house you get more of the coastal weather versus our more inland weather. Your cover photo is stunning. I have made chocolate pretzel cookies a long time ago and they were delish. I bet these tasted wonderful and left a fabulous aroma throughout your house. Pinning now!!
Absolutely delicious and beautiful Jean! Need company infront of that fireplace while I munch on your cookies and finish your tea? I promise I will be quiet so you can finish your book. 🙂
Those cookies look absolutely gorgeous!!! They could keep me company fireside any day!
I LOOVE your leef dish! And the tone (?) of your photography… it’s my favorite style (not sure how to call it). Your chocolate cookies look delicious. My kids always want anything with chocolate! I noticed the fog too, and I thought morning walk is nice in fog as it’s not so hot. I have to start walking again this week…
p.s. Can I ask if you made the boards just like how you made the rest of your boards? I love love love the color and texture and that’s exactly what I have in my mind – very old vintage Asian table… 🙂
Hi, Nami. I’m so glad you like the board. It was a spur of the moment project–I bought some picket fence pieces at Home Depot (they come in packs of 12 so good for background, too). Instead of using paint, I decided to try wood stain–they come in sample sizes, too. I was going to pick up brown or gray but I decided on black instead. I just used the rough side of the wood and brushed the stain unevenly. Let me know if you want a picture of the stain I used if you decide to pick it up.
I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other yet. I was in your neck of the woods yesterday. We should just make a plan to get together soon. 🙂
Jean, these cookies are beyond gorgeous! Here’s my number, if you ever wanna do a cookie swap, call me, maybe! 😉
Loving the cooler weather in the morning for running. So nice not to be so hot after just a mile. I would love these cookies to come home to!
Beautiful post Jean:) The cookies look like the perfect autumn treat. I just love your tea set and leaf plate…okay everything in and about your photos is gorgeous!
So pretty and artful!