Email to       

Mocha Caramel Trees

Source of Recipe

Posted by Bev


List of Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder or coffee granules
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces
1 teaspoon shortening
1/2 of a 14 ounce bag caramels
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons milk


Recipe

Preheat oven to 325º. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter, powdered sugar and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed till fluffy. Dissolve instant coffee in vanilla; add to butter mixture. Beat in cocoa powder. Beat in as much flour as you can. By hand, stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover; chill about 1 hour or till firm.

On a floured surface, roll each half of dough 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Cut into 3 inch trees, reindeers, or other shapes. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or till set but not over-browned. Cool 1 minute; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

Heat and stir chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat till chocolate begins to melt. Remove from heat; stir till smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand till set.
Heat and stir the caramels, 1/4 cup butter and milk over very low heat till smooth. Cool slightly. Drizzle with a spoon over cookies.