“Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.” -Charlotte Carpenter
Day 7. Wow, the 12 days are really zooming by. This day is all about chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, which is a sure hit this time of year. These little butter cookies are delicious plain or topped with a chocolate glaze. They have both great flavor and great texture.
This is a recipe from Cooks Illustrated. I love using some of their simple cookie recipes during the holiday gift giving. I know the recipes have been tested hundreds of times and they are a safe bet every time. I don’t ever worry about a poorly written recipe when using their recipes.
These can easily be packaged on a cookie plate. If you are really creative, you could stack them and package them in a decorative plastic with a big bow.
And if you are catching up on days one through six, here is where you can find all the other holiday recipes. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do and don’t forget to save some for yourself!
Ingredients
- 20 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to cool room temperature
- 1/2 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add cocoa powder and espresso powder; stir until mixture forms smooth paste. Set aside to cool 15 - 20 minutes.
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix remaining 16 tablespoons butter, sugar, salt and cooled cocoa mixture on high speed until well combined and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Add yolks and vanilla and mix on medium speed until combined.
- With mixer running on low, add flour in 3 additions, waiting until each addition is incorporated before adding next. Continue to mix until dough forms cohesive ball.
- Turn dough onto work surface; divide into three 4-inch disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is firm, yet malleable, 60 minutes.
- Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375°
- Roll out 1 dough disk between 2 large sheets of parchment paper to even thickness of 3/16 inch. Peel parchment from one side of dough and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake until cookies offer slight resistance to touch, 10 - 12 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then using spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack and cool completely.
- Melt 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate with 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and whisk until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons corn syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until smooth and shiny.
- Use back of spoon to spread scant teaspoon glaze to edge of cookie.
- Allow glazed cookies to dry at least 20 minutes.
36 comments… add one
robin rue December 5, 2017, 9:25 am
Mmm, mmm, mmm! These cookies sound so good. I love a good cookie and I actually have a cookie swap coming up next week, so these are perfect.
serena December 6, 2017, 12:15 pm
These are great for a cookie swap! Enjoy
Melissa Chapman December 5, 2017, 10:21 am
Those cookies are making me hungry for chocolate and cookies. I am not a great baker but these look too good to pass up before the holidays
serena December 6, 2017, 12:20 pm
They are pretty simple and make great gifts 🙂
Tara December 5, 2017, 10:26 am
These look amazing and came out so perfectly. I really need to get some shaped cookie cutters.
serena December 6, 2017, 12:11 pm
They definitely help some with the look. But if you are willing to experiment you can make some fun cookies with simple square, triangle or circle cookies
Kristi McAllister December 5, 2017, 10:56 am
Mmmm Mmmm GOOD! These cookies are adorable and you’re right, they would make great gifts. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I pinned it for future baking! Merry Christmas!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:11 pm
Thanks so much!
Angela Tolsma December 5, 2017, 1:22 pm
Oh these sound so good. I have never had dark chocolate cookies with expresso in it before and it definitely sounds like I need to try it!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:20 pm
Give them a try. Please share how they turn out. Enjoy 🙂
Laura @ MommyDearest December 5, 2017, 5:31 pm
These look so good. I want to reach through the screen and grab one. You had me at Chocolate.
serena December 6, 2017, 12:20 pm
LOL! Thanks so much 🙂
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh December 5, 2017, 5:48 pm
These look so good! I love the idea of making chocolate cookies for cut outs. Fun!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:19 pm
Quick and easy. Great for the holidays.
AnnMarie John December 6, 2017, 3:40 am
I never thought there was a way to improve butter cookies and then I saw this recipe! Definitely adding chocolate is an awesome idea!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:19 pm
Makes them so much nicer! Although I am a chocolate lover 🙂
Krystal Butherus December 6, 2017, 5:33 am
I’ve never heard of chocolate butter cookies before. They look very tasty. Bookmarked!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:19 pm
Thanks so much 🙂
StylishGeek December 6, 2017, 10:26 am
This fantastic chocolate butter cookies recipe is just what I need! I was contemplating on what to bake and give as gifts. Thanks for sharing!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:13 pm
Makes such a great gift. Enjoy!
Erica December 6, 2017, 10:40 am
These look amazing and I’ve never had a cookie quite like this. It’s been a while since I had a butter cookie, let alone a chocolate butter cookie. What a great idea.
serena December 6, 2017, 12:18 pm
Thanks so much!
Jessica T December 6, 2017, 11:48 am
These really look delicious. I have never made chocolate butter cookies before. I am going to have to try this!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:13 pm
They are delicious. Enjoy 🙂
Shoshana Sue December 6, 2017, 11:59 am
For someone who isn’t that much into chocolate, I will admit that these butter cookies have had me salivating and I just want to stuff my face with them!
serena December 6, 2017, 12:18 pm
They are pretty tasty and make a great holiday gift.
Rachel December 6, 2017, 12:20 pm
I am always looking for a new cookie recipe. These look great. Thank you for sharing. I love butter cookies and chocolate!
Quirky Homemaker December 6, 2017, 12:50 pm
They look and sound yummy! And how cute are the ones you made for a cookie exchange. The trees are very cute!
serena December 6, 2017, 1:13 pm
Thanks so much!
Andrea December 6, 2017, 6:18 pm
Hooray! This is such a timely post for me to read. I was just searching for a new cookie recipe and this looks like a winner. I love chocolate cookies!
serena December 8, 2017, 9:25 am
Thanks! Enjoy 🙂
Cindy Ingalls December 6, 2017, 10:54 pm
These cookies not only look delicious, they are so beautiful. They are also so unexpected which I love. You don’t often see chocolate Xmas trees.
Jeanine December 7, 2017, 8:20 am
Oh my goodness. These look incredible. I can’t eat sweets anymore but my family would LOVE these. I will be making them! So good.
Carolyn December 7, 2017, 8:40 am
These look so decadent! I am going to make some cookies to give to neighbors and friends and these look so good.
Nicole Shillings December 7, 2017, 8:49 am
Ooooh these look soooooo decadent! I wish I was a better baker, lol! Maybe I’ll convince my mom to make these this year.
serena December 8, 2017, 9:24 am
They aren’t hard at all. Enjoy!