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I bet you have most of this in the kitchen
A recent Amazon shopping spree included the purchase of a new hand mixer...which could only mean one thing - more time in the kitchen. Specifically, I'm venturing into the baking department. I was recently browsing when I stumbled upon a site by the name of foodgawker. Curious to see what delicious ideas might be waiting I continued on to the All-Time favorite list. Currently sitting at the #3 spot was a delicious looking piece of baked greatness simply known as espresso chocolate chip shortbreads. As the original creator of the recipe writes "These cookies are like money. They will soon replace currency. People will want them more than gasoline. Sorry OPEC..." About to pull em out of the oven, we'll have to put it to the test...

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Chop the chips with whatever weapon you choose, just be safe
Here's the rundown (copied verbatim from Use Real Butter):
1 tbsp instant espresso powder (I like Medaglia D’Oro)
1 tbsp boiling water
8 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped OR 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

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Dissolve espresso powder in boiling water. Set aside to cool to tepid. Beat butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth. Beat in vanilla and espresso, then reduce mixer speed to low and add flour, mixing only until it disappears into the dough. Don’t work the dough much once the flour is incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate or chips with a sturdy rubber spatula. Using the spatula, transfer dough to a gallon-size zip-loc bag. Put bag on a flat surface, leaving the top open, and roll the dough into a 9 x 10 1/2 inch rectangle that’s 1/4 inch thick. As you roll, turn the bag occasionally and lift the plastic from the dough so it doesn’t cause creases. When you get the right size and thickness, seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or for up to 2 days.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Put the plastic bag on a cutting board and slit it open. Turn the firm dough out onto the board (discard the bag) and, using a ruler as a guide and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the baking sheets and carefully prick each one twice with a fork, gently pushing the tines through the cookies until they hit the sheet (okay, I didn’t poke the cookies and they’re fine). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point (I didn’t do that either – I bake one sheet at a time). The shortbreads will be very pale–they shouldn’t take on much color. Transfer the cookies to a rack. If you’d like, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while they are still hot. Cool the cookies to room temperature before serving. Makes about 3 dozen.

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Santa Claus approved
Wait for ittttt. Yes, there's a pretty good reason that these things might be considered currency. If you're a fan of shortbread, you'll need to bring a change of pants along when you try these. Serve with coffee or milk, and you're gonna be walking on sunshine. Even the roommate thinks so. Now on to Friday, with my plans to visit the mountain being canceled yet again (HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!)...what to do? I'll let you let me know in the comments.

3/6/2011 08:57:23 am

Thanks so much for posting these, they are fantastic! So bummed I missed what looks like a truly unique evening.

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Kyle
3/6/2011 09:08:00 am

Glad you found these to your liking! If you find something awesome that you'd like to share, feel free to let me know!

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