Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cookies

Not sure if there are many football fans out there.  Well, in my house my husband is a huge football fan.  He played it in high school and college and happens to be from New England so there was NO WAY we weren't going to be cheering for the Patriots this year.  Luckily, it worked out for us.  Some years haven't been as pleasant. 

One of my neighbors invited us over so I made these cookies and a couple other things to bring.  The cookies were a hit.  Many people drink coffee and there is an undertone of coffee in these cookies.  Let's just say I didn't bring any back home with me. There were only three left when we left at halftime so we just left them there.  

The cookie is a nice chewy type cookie.  Browned butter is an ingredient and that does intimidate some people but it really shouldn't.  It's just butter after all. It doesn't take long to create browned butter once a stick of butter has melted so it pays to stay right there and watch it while you swirl the pan around occasionally so it doesn't burn.  But that's really it.  The big chocolate chunks are always loved but it's the little brown flecks of coffee granules that really get people wondering what's in it.  So many of the people at last night's get-together asked me what was in it because they recognized the flavor but really didn't expect there to be coffee in them.  Once I told them they were in love. 

My husband and I aren't coffee drinkers but we still really enjoyed the cookie.  Especially after they've cooled down and had a chance to meld their flavors. Straight from the oven I think the coffee flavor is more prominent. It mellows as they cool. 

Great cookie, glad I made it and I had a lot of people asking for the recipe!
Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cookies

Recipe from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 2 sticks salted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 whole large eggs
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 heaping Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 heaping tsp instant coffee granules
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chopped up
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375º
2. In a medium saucepan, melt one stick of butter over medium heat.  Once melted continue to cook while occasionally swirling the pan.  It will begin to foam and then begin to turn golden. Once the butter has begun to get golden all over remove from the heat as it will continue to cook off the heat, and you don't want to burn it. Let cool. 
3. Take the second stick of butter out of the refrigerator so it can soften before continuing. 
4. Add the softened stick of butter to the bowl of your stand mixer with both sugars and mix until well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix. 
5. In a separate bowl combine the flour, coffee granules, baking soda and salt. 
6. Slowly add the flour to the wet mixture 1/3 at a time. 
7. Dump in the chocolate and nuts if using and just give a quick mix to incorporate. 
8. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes.  Let cool slightly before removing to a cooling rack.