There has been an absence of chocolate around here lately, which is kind of surprising because I’ve found myself craving it often. I somehow have no chocolate in the house (probably because I ate it all the last time I was craving chocolate) other than the unsweetened baking kind and cocoa powder. Anyway, my point is: more chocolate.
The last time I made cookies, I had no butter. This time I made up for it by baking shortbread, of which butter is a pretty integral part. I took a plain old icebox shortbread recipe and added cocoa powder mixed with boiling water – the hot water helps wake up the cocoa – and the resulting cookie was pretty awesome.
I think the trick to these (besides the cocoa powder and boiling water) is beating the butter and sugar together until it is super soft and light. This, in turn, makes the dough super soft and light, which means that the cookies are crisp and melt-in-your-mouth. However, it also means that the dough definitely needs a rest in the fridge to firm up before slicing and baking – although I think this recipe would also make pretty good piped shortbread. Maybe next time.
But until then, these will do nicely to satisfy any chocolate craving. (And they’re great for a tea party!)
Cocoa Shortbread Cookies
Adapted from my trusted friend Martha
In mixer with paddle attachment, beat on medium-high speed until fluffy:
1 cup unsalted butter, soft
Add:
1 cup icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Continue beating until very light and fluffy.
Meanwhile, combine:
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
2 – 3 tbsp boiling water
1/4 tsp instant coffee granules – optional, but awesome for bumping up the chocolate flavour
Mix the water into the cocoa powder little by little until you get a thick, chocolaty paste. Add the cocoa paste to the mixer bowl and continue beating until it is completely combined and very light and fluffy.
Add:
2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into the measuring cup and leveled (this ensures you don’t add too much flour)
Mix until the flour is well-incorporated and you have a soft, light dough.
Place two sheets of parchment paper on your work surface and dust them lightly with cocoa powder. Divide the cookie dough evenly between each sheet, then dust with more cocoa powder. With your hands, gently pat the dough into a cylindrical log, using more cocoa powder as needed to stop your hands from sticking. The dough is very soft so you should be able to just use your fingertips to coax it into place. Roll each log up in the parchment and twist/fold the ends under to seal. Place the logs in the fridge for at least 1 hour to chill (I left mine overnight).
To bake, preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line a cookie sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper.
Unwrap one of the chilled cookie logs and slice it into 1/4” slices in a cutting board (keep the other log of dough in the fridge until you are ready to slice and bake it). If the cookies break when you cut them, let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before continuing. Place the cookies about 1/2” apart on the cookie sheet, and bake for 10 – 15 minutes (mine took exactly 11 minutes). Let them cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. Makes about 4 dozen cookies, depending in the size of your cookie dough logs.
I am rather proud to be your mother. What a great idea, chocolate shortbread. And I LOVE that tea party picture.
Aww, thanks Mum
Mmmm, love the idea of shortbread and chocolate! Love your blog (as you already know)!!!!!!!!!!!
Those look very classic!
Definitely
There’s a reason that shortbread is so well-loved.
wish I could drop in for this classic tea time table.
You’re welcome any time
awe che buoni! these looks seriously scrumptious and thank you so much for the pictures with the detailed how to. never tried to make this type of cookies and it could be really fun to make them with my little one (already addicted to cocoa).
My chocolate addiction started at a young age, too
I love that last picture
I need to host a tea party soon 
You should – I bet it would be beautiful
I do wonder why people don’t have tea parties more often. It always seems to be alcohol-parties around here. I happen to fancy tea much more, especially when there are cocoa shortbread cookies (!!) and the CUTEST little sandwiches! You must post the recipe for those! And I might just throw a wee tea party sometime soon …
Yes, I am a big fan of the tea party
The recipe for the sandwiches was for a guest post I did: http://seachangecanadiangifts.ca/2012/07/british-tradition-with-a-canadian-flavour/
What a great post you’ve done over there – perhaps high tea is in order when we visit Victoria.
I would say, definitely!!
I promised my ada that we will bake these ones Saturday morning
I hope you guys like them