Thursday 4 October 2007

Little Mocha Kisses


If the name isn’t enough the sight of these cutie pie hearts should melt away any resistance.

These gorgeous little hearts are from Rachel Allen’s new book Rachel’s Favourite Food For Living (more about this fabulous fourth book in a later post). They are a sort of short crumbly irresistible coffee shortbread sandwiched when cold with cocoa buttercream. If you like shortbread, coffee, chocolate or melting moments you are in for a treat!

I made them with decaf coffee, as I can’t take shake-y coffee and wouldn’t be happy to give it to little one. Though as we made these together I wouldn’t have been right not to let her taste the fruits of her labour. I’m pulling this one out again at Christmas for sure, if I can last that long…

Here’s the warning though - one small bite and half the plate will be gone!

Little Mocha Kisses
From Rachel’s Favourite Food For Living by Rachel Allen

IngredientsFor the biscuits
175g/6oz self raising flour
75g/3oz caster sugar
75g/3oz butter
2 tsp instant coffee powder or granules
1 tsp hot water
1 free range egg
For the chocolate icing
50g/2oz butter, softened
100g/4oz icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
3 tsp cocoa powder
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Place the flour, sugar and butter in a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. In a cup or small bowl, mix the coffee with the hot water, then add the egg and whisk together.
4. Add this to the food processor and process until the dough comes together. (If making this by hand, rub the butter into the flour and sugar in a bowl, then add the coffee, water and egg mixture and bring together to a dough.)
5. Dust the work surface with icing sugar and then roll out the dough until it is 5mm/¼ in thick and, using a 4cm/1½ in long heart-shaped cutter, cut out 50-60 heart shapes. (If the dough is a bit soft before shaping, chill it in the deep freeze for 10 minutes before using.)
6. Place the hearts slightly spaced apart on two baking trays (no need to grease) and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and slightly firm at the edges.
7. Remove from the oven and carefully lift off the tray with a metal slice while they are still very hot to prevent them sticking. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
8. For the chocolate icing, mix the soft butter, icing sugar and cocoa powder in a bowl using a wooden spoon, or in the food processor, until it comes together.
9. Use the icing to sandwich the cookies together. If you dip a table knife into hot water as you work, it helps to spread the icing. Store in a box for two or three days. Makes 25 - 30 sanwiched hearts.

21 comments:

Kajal@aapplemint said...

aww now dont these look cute !

Susan said...

Adorable, Kelly-Jane. Love the coffee flavor, too. You don't see coffee used in cakes/cookies very much except for icing. I'm ticking this off for Xmas baking; I'll cut them into stars. It's not too soon to start planning. : )

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Those are toooo cute, and they look delicious, too.

Anh said...

These are sooooo cute! I love the flavours you have there, too.

Truffle said...

These are just gorgeous! They sound so delicious too.

Anna's kitchen table said...

Lovely!

Maggie said...

I was just looking at that recipe last night and thought I might wait until St. Valentine's Day and surprise the OH with them. Pleased you enjoyed them.

Deborah said...

These are adorable cookies!! I'm not a coffee fan, but I'm sure I could substitute and they would be just as tasty.

Gemma said...

They're really sweet. I've never been a fan of Rachel Allan as I don't like her manner on TV, what are her books like?

Belinda said...

Awww, Kelly-Jane, these little heart mocha kisses are so cute and sassy! And I love the photos...the pink and white cloth, and white platter are perfect to showcase these little gems. :-) Just pass a few this way, pretty please!

vonsachsen said...

Oh ,they look so cute!...and go well with the table cloth as well :)

KJ said...

These look lovely. I bet you little girl loved making them. Rachel Allen is unknown in Australia. Hopefully, her books will make it here eventually.

Peabody said...

Those are so very cute.

Anonymous said...

Kelly Jane, I know I would love these with my morning espresso. And my mid day espresso and ...

Anonymous said...

So sweet! You could melt anyone's heart with those darling cookies.

Pat said...

Ohhhhh these look really yummy!!!!

Kelly-Jane said...

Kate, thank you :)

Susan, that's a great idea to use stars at Xmas!

Lydia, thank you :)

Anh, they were so lovely.

Truffle, thank you :)

Anna, Margaret and Gemma, thank you :)

Gemma, her books are good, the newest one is the biggest and best yet!

Belinda, thank you, some coming down the cable to you now!

Eva, I love that cloth!

KJ, she did, we both did :)

Peabody, thank you :)

Maryann, anytime would be good :)

Lynn, thank you :)

Pat, they were so yummy!

Cynthia, no problem :) :)

KJxx

Kelly-Jane said...

Deborah,

They be good without the coffee as well, just as vanilla and chocolate :)

KJxx

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Very cute and love anything with coffee in.

Cheryl said...

So cute and lovely. I may have to try this for Valentine's Day.

Unknown said...

I'm having trouble making these. I've tried several times but either the dough is too sticky or after frig too hard.Any helpful hints? I've been baking for a while but these
sump me.