Deep Chocolate Kahlua Bites

The word cookie hardly does these little bits of heaven justice.  They're little mounds of melt in your mouth chocolate shortbread topped with a deep chocolate Kahlua buttercream.  They're a snap to make, which just adds to their charm.

They're based on one of my all time favorite holiday cookies ever, Melting Moments.  I think it's pretty obvious that sometimes the simplest things are the most irresistible.  The thing about these cookies is that they literally do melt in your mouth.  The consistency is quite unique, really unlike any other cookie.  It has something to do with the butter and the cornstarch. But the little blob of fudge frosting on the top doesn't hurt, either.

 If you prefer vanilla, see the original, they're fabulous too.

This is a good recipe if you're busy because you can easily mix up the dough in the morning before work, and bake off the cookies in the evening.  The cookies are small and they don't spread, so you can fit the whole batch on two trays.  The frosting comes together with a few swipes of a spoon in a measuring cup.  You can also freeze the unbaked balls of dough; freeze them first on a tray, then transfer them to a zip lock bag.

Get ready to transform a little bit of butter, sugar, flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and Kahlua into something you, your family, and friends will never forget.  Don't like Kahlua?  Substitute vanilla, or any other liquor or liqueur you like.  Set these out on a little tray after dinner, sit back, and watch what happens. But be sure to grab a couple for yourself, first.

Chocolate Kahlua Bites
makes about 40 small cookies
oven to 350  
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup flour

• Mix the dough together until thoroughly combined.  Cover tightly and refrigerate for one hour, or longer if desired.
• Form small heaps with the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet.  I used a 1" scoop.  Bake for about 13 minutes.  Cool slightly on the pan, and then on a rack.  Be careful, these cookies are delicate.

3 Tbsp soft unsalted butter
3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp Kahlua
1 tsp vanilla extract
milk or cream to thin
confectioner's sugar for dusting

• Mix the soft butter with the cocoa powder and sugar, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well, until smooth and creamy.  Top each cooled cookie with a generous blob of frosting, and dust with powdered sugar.

 In they go to the virtual cookie box---

 
One year ago today---

Meatballs al Forno