There’s something truly delightful about the aroma of coffee-infused baked goods. It’s a scent that makes me want to curl up on a cozy couch with a good book and a cup of coffee. And there’s no better way to enjoy this than with Brazilian Coffee Cookies. Originating from Brazil, a country renowned for its coffee, these cookies perfectly capture the essence of Brazilian coffee. Its robust flavor, paired with the sweetness of the cookie, creates a delectable treat that’s hard to resist. When I first stumbled upon this recipe during my travels in Brazil, I knew I had to share it. The locals take their coffee seriously, and this fervor is reflected in their baking. This cookie recipe is a testament to that. The instant coffee powder used in the cookies gives them a distinct, rich coffee flavor that sets them apart from your typical sweet treat. One of the things I love about this recipe is its simplicity. The ingredients are straightforward, and the steps are easy to follow. It’s a baking project that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With a few tips and tricks (like making sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing and taking care not to overbake the cookies), you’ll have a batch of irresistible Brazilian Coffee Cookies ready in no time. So, get your oven preheated, your ingredients ready, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 1/3 c. shortening
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 2 c. flour
- 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. powdered instant coffee
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
Baking Instructions
- Mix shortening, sugars, egg, vanilla and milk until fluffy. Sift dry ingredients together.
- Add to sugar mixture; mix thoroughly.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Flatten to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Brazilian Coffee Cookie Concoction
There I was, standing in my kitchen, my apron donned, my hands washed, and my heart pounding like a drum solo at a rock concert. I was about to embark on a culinary expedition, one filled with shortening, sugar, and a dash of humor. And the destination? The land of mouth-watering, caffeine-infused Brazilian Coffee Cookies.
The Incredible Ingredient Line-Up
On my counter lay an assortment of ingredients, all waiting to be turned into little rounds of delight. There was 1/3 c. of shortening, looking all slick and promising, a 1/2 c. of granulated sugar, glistening like a snow-topped mountain, and a tablespoon of milk, looking, well, milky. My eyes then wandered to the 2 c. of flour – a mini mountain range in its own right, accompanied by a 1/2 c. of packed brown sugar, a single egg standing tall, 2 Tbsp. of powdered instant coffee (the star of our show), 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1 1/2 tsp. of vanilla, and a duo of 1/4 tsp. each of baking soda and baking powder. The stage was set.
Mixing It Up
I started by mixing the shortening, sugars, egg, vanilla, and milk until it looked like a fluffy cloud of sweetness – a process that involved more arm power than I thought I’d need in a day. This wasn’t just cooking, this was a workout! I then sifted the dry ingredients together, feeling like a gold miner filtering for precious minerals. Except, in my case, the ‘gold’ was a perfect blend of flour, powdered instant coffee, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Balling and Baking
Next came the part where I had to shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Now, I’ve never been great at arts and crafts, so let’s just say that my dough balls looked more like abstract sculptures than perfect spheres. But hey, they were unique! I placed my little dough creations 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, and then had the task of flattening them to a 1/8-inch thickness. To those of you who think that’s easy, let me tell you, it’s no piece of cake! Or cookie, in this case.
Once I had my flattened balls of joy ready, into the oven they went, set at a fiery 400°. The waiting game began. The aroma of baking cookies and coffee filled my apartment as I nervously watched the clock. After 8-10 minutes, or what felt like an eternity, I took them out of the oven, and voila! They were lightly browned, just as the recipe had promised.
The Final Verdict
As I sat down with a cookie in one hand and a cup of milk in the other, I realized that this journey, though filled with a few too many dough mishaps, was totally worth it. The cookie was a delightful mix of sweetness and coffee, a treat to the taste buds. I may not have started as a pro, but I could now confidently say that I was a bona fide Brazilian Coffee Cookie maker.
And that, my friends, is the tale of the time I conquered the art of Brazilian Coffee Cookies. Remember, in the world of baking, there’s no such thing as perfection. There’s only fun, humor, and the joy of eating something you’ve made from scratch. So, grab your apron, pull out those ingredients, and get baking!
