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Calling all cinnamon roll lovers!!! Have I got a cookie for you?!? Clear your schedule because you need to put “Bake Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies” at the top of your to do list. From the very first batch all I could think was WOW…these cookies […]
Have you started making Christmas cookies yet? Are you one of those people that makes a different batch every week and stores them perfectly in tupperware containers or are you the last minute type that whips everything together in one big cookie-palooza? I’m a little […]
Christmas is a time for family and love, a time for magic and wonder, a time for…..BAKING!!! We’ve been baking up a storm here at Happylifeblogspot this December and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. I wanted to share with you one of my all time favorite, very unique, cookie recipes this year. Cappuccino Swirl Cookies look super duper impressive but are WAY easier to make than you think. This coffee flavored cookie has a hint of Irish cream which pairs wonderfully with the gorgeous little chocolate swirled topper. I like to make these at Christmas time but really this cookie is great any time of the year. Obviously you’ll need a hot cup of coffee for dunking. I mean it goes without saying, right?!?
Here’s all you’ll need: butter flavored shortening, white sugar, baking powder, salt, egg, Baileys coffee creamer (you can substitute Baileys or just plain ole milk), vanilla extract, flour, instant coffee, and Hershey’s hugs.
Add the shortening to a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. The butter flavored Crisco comes in the yellow package (blue is the original). And yes, of course you can use just plain ole regular Crisco if you don’t have the butter flavor on hand. Mix in one cup of sugar, the baking powder and salt until light and fluffy.
Next beat in the egg, coffee flavored liqueur (think Baileys) and vanilla and mix until well combined. So about that coffee flavored liqueur, you can totally swap out for milk if you don’t have any Baileys on hand. I got a little creative and combined the two and used a Baileys flavored coffee creamer. And I’m SOOOO glad that I have leftovers for my coffee too!!! That stuff is delish!!
Beat in the flour a cup at a time with a hand mixer. Knead in the final 1/4 cup by hand. Cover the the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour or until firm. Ok so another reason Cappuccino Swirl Cookies are fabulous at Christmas time is because you need to chill the dough. So if you’re making a cookie smorgasbord like me, you can make all your cookie doughs one day, chill in the fridge, and then do all your baking the next day. It’s nice to break it up!
Once the dough is firm, remove from the fridge and shape into 1-inch balls. Don’t forget to line those cookie sheets with parchment paper. If you’re not team parchment paper then it’s time to hop on the band wagon. You really need this in your life!! This one simple trick (using parchment paper instead of cooking spray) will really take your cookie baking to the next level. Speaking from experience!!
Next combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules in a small bowl. This will create that amazing, sparkly, coffee flavored coating. My mouth is watering already!
Lightly roll each and every ball into our sugar mixture. Evenly space the cookie balls on a baking sheet. You’ll want them to be about 2 inches apart. This cookie will flatten as it bakes.
See what I mean? Bake cookies in a 350 degree preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the cookie tops start to crack and the sides are almost set. If they’re getting brown then you’ve gone too far so keep a close and watchful eye on these lil guys. While the cookies are baking you’re going to wanna start unwrapping those chocolate candies. We need them ready to roll when the cookies are still hot out of the oven.
Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s hug into the center of each cookie. Now I know I’m usually telling you to get those cookies off the baking sheet ASAP but today we’re keeping them on there. The heat from the baking sheet is actually a good thing because we want those Hershey’s hugs to melt. Of course the cookies look gorgeous already and if you’re not brave enough to give this swirl a whirl, then go ahead and move the cookies to a cooling rack (so the Hershey’s hugs don’t melt).
Now for the big finish…..the swirl!!! Let those hot cookies sit for about 5 minutes or so until the Hershey’s hugs are nice and melty. It takes a few tries to get down the technique but I’m confident that you can do it. Using the tip of a knife (of the back of a spoon, whatever floats your boat) slowly run your utensil through the melted hug to swirl. I like to go counter clockwise and I find that a light touch works best. I also find it helpful to start from the outside and work your way in towards the middle. Practice makes perfect! Cool completely on wire baking racks.
Ta-dah!!! Are those not the most fabulous cookies you’ve ever laid eyes on??? I mean these guys are bakery perfect! That swirl though!!! Cappuccino Swirl Cookies are sure to be the star of your cookie tray this year. Don’t forget to try our Soft Cut Out Cookies and Mini Cinnamon Roll Cookies too!
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Peanut Butter Cookies were my absolute favorite as a kid. So when I grew up and started baking I knew that I needed a fabulous, no fail, peanut butter cookie recipe in my arsenal ASAP!! Well guys, this is that recipe!! These cookies are rich, […]
I’m going to let you in on a little secret…..my hubby is an eggnog freak!!! No he doesn’t do weird things with eggnog……but he IS pretty eggnog obsessed!! He absolutely loves it and cannot get enough. Unfortunately for him, it’s only available for a short […]
Christmas cookies?!? Ain’t nobody got time for that! Well I’m here to tell you that you do! Grrrrllll……..I got you! They very well could be the easiest cookies you will ever make! I’ve been adding them to Christmas cookie trays for years now and everyone has been none the wiser of my cookie shortcut. You see, the cookie dough is actually…..wait for it….CAKE MIX! Of course you’ll need to add a couple more ingredients, but the basic dough is just cake mix, eggs, and oil. You can play with the flavors and pick your own add ins. I’ve used chocolate cake mix with Christmas colored M&Ms here to make them festive, but adding Reese’s Pieces instead is one of my all time favorite combinations. What are you waiting for??? Let’s get baking!
Here’s all you’ll need: cake mix, oil, eggs, Christmas M&Ms. 
Add cake mix, eggs and oil to a large bowl. Yep! Everything in one bowl. I told ya this would be easy!!
Mix with a hand mixer on a low to medium speed until well combined (about 2 minutes).
Stir in the M&Ms or the add in of your choice! I recently hosted a slumber party with my niece and nephew and we paired white cake mix with chocolate chips and Christmas sprinkles and they turned out fab! They love baking with Aunt Lisa!
Drop by the spoonful onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I’ve done these two ways and both have worked wonderful. Traditionally I would portion out spoonful sizes and roll them by hand into balls. This dough is very sticky. The key to working with it is a light touch. Pretend they are very delicate as you roll them. BUT…..I’ve recently used my cookie scoop to drop them by the spoonful and it’s an excellent alternative to getting your hands dirty! You can place additional M&Ms on top to make them extra pretty.
Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 8-10 minutes on the middle and top racks of your oven. Don’t forget to rotate your cookie sheets about halfway through baking so you get that nice and even bake. Remove from the pan and allow cookies to cool. I bet Santa would love a batch of these paired with a nice, big glass of cold milk!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!
Hi There! I’m Lisa. I’m a lover of all things crafty, creative, DIY, and delicious!!! Oh yeah and puppies too! I love cooking and baking for my friends and family but especially WITH my friends and family. I show my greatest affection through food. If I cook or bake for you, it means I really like you!
