Mocha Hearts

Makes about 108

For the hearts:
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 tablespoon water
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the drizzle:
2/3 cup powdered (confectioners') sugar
2 teaspoons water
red food color: gel, paste, or powder

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, stir together the espresso powder in the water to dissolve the espresso powder. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, nutmeg and salt until well blended. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the dissolved espresso. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. Spoon the dough into a cookie press fitted with a heart-shaped disk. Press the dough out onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 1 inch apart. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they are dry. With a metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Make the drizzle:
In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of the water until smooth and a good drizzling consistency. In a second bowl, wisk together the remaining 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of water, and red food color until smooth, evenly colored and a good drizzling consistency. Spoon each color into a self-closing plastic bag. Snip a tiny corner off of each bag, and drizzle both colors over cookies. Let the cookies stand at room temperature until the drizzles are dry. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Variation: for Mocha Wreaths, use a wreath-shaped disk in your cookie press and substitute green food color for red.

Note: Adapted from a recipe found in Family Circle "Christmas Cookies & Crafts," December 2002.

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Reviews of Mocha Hearts:

6-9 of 9 reviews   << Previous

  Paula in Minnesota  Dec 15, 2004
Would make this again.
The cookies were good, but at first I couldn't get the dough out of my cookie press. I had to soften the dough a bit and then they came out better, but still the hearts didn't quite look like hearts. The taste was very good though. My father-in-law is a big fan of anything "coffee" and enjoyed them very much! four stars

  Tiara in Canada  Dec 12, 2004
Would make this again.
This recipe worked out great, i made it for my mom and three sister and they loved it very much!! five stars

  A cookie baker in California  Nov 9, 2003
Would make this again.
They were so good we had to make more so we won't have to run out of them. Who ever thought of this recipe thank u for it. Now we know what to make for the holidays to come. All of our friends keep on asking me where did u get that recipe? I just told them and they loved it so much. five stars

  Nicole  Feb 17, 2003
Would make this again.
Well I wanted to find a rather easy recipe with my family and this one worked out great they tasted great and looked great! If you are looking for a fun recipe to do with you family this one is great! five stars

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