Many college students live, breathe and drink coffee to maintain their sanity. We rely on it so that we can function during the chaos that is finals, group projects and pulling all nighters to finish a ten page paper (even though we should have started it a week before). There are many ways that students and the rest of the population drink coffee, but we don’t often consume it in foods besides ice cream. This got me thinking about more ways we could squeeze coffee into our diets, specifically in dessert. I decided to look through my family’s old recipe box and came across one for mocha walnut cookies.
While we all have our differences, one thing that unifies the world is our love for cookies. Pretty much everyone loves this nostalgic sweet treat, and by adding a little caffeine to them, you get the best of both worlds: satisfying that coffee fix and your sweet tooth all at once. So the next time you’re up late studying for an exam and need a midnight snack, have one of these cookies to keep you motivated.
Mocha Walnut Cookies
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips over hot (not boiling) water. Stir until smooth; cool to room temperature.
In a small cup, dissolve instant coffee into boiling water; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar and coffee; beat until creamy.
Add egg and melted chocolate chips from Step 1; mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture.
Stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and walnuts.
Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and drop onto ungreased cookie sheets. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to stand for 2 to 3 minutes before removing from cookie sheets; cool completely.
#SpoonTip: If you don’t have a love for walnuts, feel free to substitute with a different nut; or if you have a nut allergy, toss in a few more chocolate chips to the mix.
These cookies are sure to be a hit with your friends on campus. Whip up a batch for your next movie night to show off your baking skills. If you’re feeling fancy, you can make ice cream sandwiches that are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Use cookie dough ice cream to experience the ultimate cookie-ception. If you don’t eat the whole batch in one sitting (although you may want to), store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge. Try to finish them within a week because they will eventually (and sadly) become stale. Be sure to warm up the cookies in the microwave before indulging to achieve that fresh out of the oven taste.