Nutty Coffee Cookies

Nutty Coffee Cookies

Need another reason to use coffee flavors? These cookies are a snap to make and the flavor adds punch and pizzazz.

This recipe makes 3 dozen cookies. 

Nutty Coffee Cookies Ingredients: 
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 
1/2 cup granulated white sugar 
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed* 
1 large egg 
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided 
1 1/2 cups flour 
1/3 teaspoon salt 
1/3 teaspoon baking soda 
6 tablespoons coffee flavored syrup, divided 
3/4 cup coarsely chopped nuts: hazelnuts, almonds, pecans or walnuts 
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted 
2 tablespoons milk, regular or low fat 
*Tap the sugar down into the measuring cup so it is packed tight

Instructions: 
Preheat oven to 375°F. 
Grease one large or two small cookie sheets. 
In a large mixing bowl, cream together both the sugars with the butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. 
Beat in the egg and one teaspoon of the pure vanilla extract. 
The mixture should remain light and airy. 
In a second bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda. 
Using a mixer on low speed, mix the flour mixture with the coffee flavor, adding only 4 tablespoons of the coffee flavored syrup one at a time until well blended. 
Add the butter and sugar mixture and incorporate well. 
With a rubber spatula, stir in the nuts. 
Drop the dough in heaping teaspoonfuls onto the greased cooking sheet. Allow for two inches in between as these cookies will expand. 
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. 
While the cookies are baking, combine the confectioner's sugar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of coffee flavored syrup together with the milk. It should result in a smooth, thick consistency. 
Remove cookies from the oven and cool on a wire rack. 
When the cookies are cool to the touch spread the glaze over them or make decorative swirls or designs.