Cookie Makeover

In October I posted a cookie recipe for Halloween called Eyes-Wide-Open. The cookie name is derived  from espresso coffee and chocolate as two of the ingredients which might keep your eyes wide open for the day but only if you eat too many of the cookies:) The particular recipe posted in October did not work for me so I decided to give it a makeover and re-post. Since I am a huge fan of coffee and chocolate it was well worth the effort and I am more than satisfied with the results. And so after nibbling these cookies with my usual morning cups of coffee I can now say I am fully charged for the day!!

Eyes-Wide Open Cookies

makes about 2 dozen

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1-3/4 cup flour
• 4 TB. unsweetened baking cocoa
• 1-1/2 tsp. instant espresso powder (found in coffee or baking aisle I used a brand called Medaglia D' Oro)
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup mini or regular chocolate chips
• chocolate espresso coffee beans (found at your local coffee shop-small package near the registers)

Directions:

• In a large bowl cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy
• Beat in eggs
• Combine flour, salt, cocoa, espresso powder and baking soda
• Add to butter mixture and mix well
• Stir in chips 
• Put bowl in freezer for 30 minutes to chill dough
• Roll dough into balls (about 1-1/2 inches) and place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper
• Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes
• Remove tray and gently press one coffee bean on top of each cookie
• Place cookies on a wire rack to cool