Black and White Mocha Cookies

Everything drink should be a cookie.

First things, first. I have to confess I don't coffee. It it just a taste I dislike. Simple as that. I didn't even have a taste, however these cookies were approved by coffee loving friends. When I moved to Utah, I met 2 girls that have become good friends. We often go to coffee and they always get mochas. Thus the black and white mocha cookies.

On a side note. The blog as been silent because I got a full time job. I am the Marketing and Production Coordinator for a small firm that sells benefits to credit unions. The job is great, the adjustment back to full time employment has been tricky to find balance. Now that it has been a month on the job, thing are flowing a bit better.

Black and White Mocha Cookies 

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar                                                                                 
1/2 cup packed brown sugar                                                             
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon warm water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted & cooled
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In a large bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy and well combined. In a small mug, dissolve coffee in water. Add dissolved coffee to creamed mixture, mix well. Then add in egg, melted chocolate and vanilla, blend until combined. 

In medium size bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture (dough will be sticky). Shape into two rolls (like refrigerated store cookie dough) about 2 inch diameters. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place apart on ungreased baking sheets, or silpmat lined cookie sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. 

In a microwave safe bowl, melt white chocolate 20 seconds at a time, until chocolate is smooth and melted. Dip each cooled cookie halfway; shake off excess. Place on waxed paper to harden.

Slight change from Best of Country Cookies

Spiced Chai Concentrate

Nothing says Fall, like a hot Chai Latte! 

The one thing that I love in the fall is a Chai Latte. Milk and chai tea. The best chai lattes are made from a concentrate. I often make chai lattes at home because for the cost for the cost of one at a coffee shop, you can get a box of concentrate. However I made this concentrate, and like it better than the boxed store bought. It has a great spice to it and a lot of flavor. A bonus is it has less sugar.

Spiced Chai Concentrate

Slight change from A Wooden Nest

4 1/2 cups water
1 stick cinnamon
1 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, chopped
7 whole cardamom pods
2 whole star anise pods
10 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon orange zest
10 bags of black tea (like English Breakfast)
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 Tablespoon honey
2 Tablespoon vanilla

Add the spices in a big pot, add the water. Bring the water to a boil, and remove from heat. Add all the tea bags, and allow the mixture to steep for 15 minutes.

Strain the mixture into a 4-cup glass measuring cup or large bowl, discarding the spices and tea bags. Add the sugar, honey and the vanilla, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the mixture into a jar and store in the refrigerator.

To serve, mix 1 part concentrate with 1 part milk (like 1/2 a cup concentrate and 1/2 cup milk). Heat for a warm beverage, if over the stove use a whisk to "froth" the milk, or in the microwave. Just pour over ice for a cold Chai Latte.