Mocha cream finger cookies

 

INGREDIENTS 

For the cookies:

- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened

- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

- 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar

- 1 large egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

- 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the mocha cream filling:

- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

- 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar

- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream, if needed

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee granules, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

4. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a log about 1 inch in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until firm.

5. Once chilled, slice the dough logs into thin slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the slices onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.

6. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until set. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. To make the mocha cream filling, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, instant coffee granules, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add milk or cream, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

8. Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of the mocha cream filling onto the bottom side of half of the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies to create sandwiches.

9. Store the filled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.

Enjoy your homemade mocha cream finger cookies!

Baking hacks

1. **Coffee Concentrate**: For a stronger coffee flavor in the cookies, consider using coffee concentrate or strongly brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules. Just adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe accordingly.

2. **Chilled Dough Logs**: When rolling the dough into logs, try shaping them on a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap. This makes it easier to roll and shape the dough, and you can simply lift the parchment paper to wrap and chill the logs in the refrigerator.

3. **Uniform Slicing**: To ensure uniform slices when cutting the chilled dough logs, use a sharp knife and make clean, quick cuts. You can also gently reshape any misshapen slices with your fingers before baking.

4. **Even Filling**: Use a piping bag or a small spoon to evenly distribute the mocha cream filling onto the cookies. This helps ensure consistent filling thickness and makes sandwiching the cookies together easier.

5. **Chill Filled Cookies**: After assembling the mocha cream finger sandwiches, place them in the refrigerator for a short while to firm up the filling. This helps prevent the cream from oozing out when you bite into the cookies.

6. **Customize Filling**: Feel free to customize the mocha cream filling to suit your taste. You can adjust the amount of cocoa powder and coffee granules for a stronger or milder flavor, and add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth.

7. **Decorative Touches**: For a professional-looking finish, dust the assembled mocha cream finger cookies with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or powdered sugar. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an elegant touch.

These baking hacks should help you achieve delicious and visually appealing mocha cream finger cookies with ease!

NUTRITIONAL BREAKDOWN 

Here's a rough estimate of the nutritional breakdown for one serving (assuming one cookie sandwich) of mocha cream finger cookies, based on the provided recipe:

**Calories:** Approximately 250-300 calories per cookie sandwich

**Fat:** Around 15-20 grams per cookie sandwich

**Carbohydrates:** Approximately 25-30 grams per cookie sandwich

**Protein:** Roughly 2-3 grams per cookie sandwich

Please note that these values can vary depending on specific ingredients used and portion sizes. If you have specific dietary requirements or are looking for more precise nutritional information, you may want to input the exact ingredients and quantities into a nutritional calculator or consult a registered dietitian.