Espresso Martini Cookies

Name: Espresso Martini Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder (such as Hershey’s Special Dark); 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup (226 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar; 1 1/2 cups (320 grams) light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract; 1/2 cup (85 grams) semisweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup (90 grams) dark chocolate espresso bites or chocolate-covered espresso beans (if using beans, roughly chop them into small pieces), plus more for garnish if desired; Smoked flaky sea salt, for garnish; Melted white chocolate, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prep:45minCook:15min

Ahh, the beloved espresso martini. I may be dating myself here, but I remember when these were all the rage in clubs. As soon as I was able to order them at the bar, I was there, feeling super fancy with my coffee-flavored drink. Excited to re-create this recipe and revisit a classic, I wanted to focus on the espresso flavors and how well they complement chocolate. I’m a huge fan of espresso, and I drink my one cafecito daily, so I had a good time really testing this recipe out and putting a twist on my favorite drink. And two failed batches and a big win later, I ended up with these beauties! Tender and rich dark chocolate cookies get a hit of espresso in each bite thanks to instant espresso powder and chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans folded throughout the dough. Finished with a small hit of flaky sea salt, each bite is similar to the sweetness and depth you’d taste in an espresso martini. Personally, I’m not fond of cloyingly sweet desserts, so I really enjoy these cookies, since they're not super sweet—the bitterness from the espresso definitely helps balance things out. I find that these cookies are a great compromise for those who want a little something sweet without fully indulging their epic sweet tooth. I actually enjoyed a cookie with a hot cup of coffee for a quick bite one afternoon, but that’s definitely something optional for those who don’t want to partake in too much caffeine!

Updated at: Mon, 17 Feb 2025 11:08:05 GMT