Irresistible Kahlua Crinkles: The Ultimate Chocolate-Coffee Cookie Recipe
Discover your new favorite cookie! These exquisite chocolate-coffee flavored crinkle cookies are rolled in a special Kahlua sugar and baked to chewy perfection. Get ready for a delightful indulgence that combines rich chocolate, bold coffee, and the sweet kick of Kahlua.
Have you ever heard of Kahlua Crinkles? Perhaps not, but trust me, once you try them, you’ll wonder where they’ve been all your life! I’ve been eagerly counting down the days until I could finally share this perfect cookie recipe with all of you, and now the moment has arrived. Prepare to share my excitement for these incredibly delicious, unique treats!
Just the name alone, “Kahlua Crinkles,” hints at something truly special and utterly irresistible. What’s not to love about a cookie that masterfully blends two of the most cherished flavors – rich chocolate and aromatic coffee – all elevated by the distinctive sweetness of Kahlua? This isn’t just any crinkle cookie; it’s a gourmet experience in a bite-sized package, designed to captivate your taste buds and leave you craving more.
My culinary journey to these amazing Kahlua Crinkles began unexpectedly, as it often does, while browsing Culinary Adventures with Camilla. This particular blog was my delightful assignment for the Secret Recipe Club this month. Camilla, the fearless leader and creative genius behind our recipe group, has a blog that truly lives up to its name. In the two years I’ve been part of the club, this was my first time being assigned her blog, and what a discovery it was!
Camilla’s approach to cooking and baking is nothing short of extraordinary. She excels at adventurous culinary creations, offering a passport to global flavors right from her kitchen. On her blog, you’ll stumble upon meals from every nook and cranny around the world, often featuring ingredients that are entirely new to me (like those intriguing Pickled Moose Melons!). Her philosophy is to “cook outside the box” – encouraging readers to experiment with unfamiliar foods and herbs to craft something new and different. While my personal cooking style might not be quite as audacious as Camilla’s, we share a fundamental belief: encouraging our children to try new foods and teaching them not to shy away from something “because it looks weird.” Camilla, a proud mother of three boys (including her wonderful husband), truly embodies an adventurous spirit in every aspect of her life, and her blog is a vibrant reflection of that.
It was amidst these inspiring “culinary adventures” that I discovered her recipe for Coffee Liqueur Crinkles for Santa, which served as the brilliant foundation for today’s Kahlua Crinkles. Her original concept sparked a creative flame, leading me to adapt and enhance it with even more coffee and Kahlua goodness. Beyond these cookies, I’m eagerly anticipating trying her Blueberry Lemonade in the near future – it sounds like the perfect refreshing treat. And seriously, you *must* go read her post about the Artisan Pasta Class she took, where she crafted incredible Tequila Sunrise Tortellini and Ravioli. Her culinary explorations are truly captivating!
These chocolate-coffee cookies, which I’ve proudly named Kahlua Crinkles, turned out beyond my wildest expectations! The moment they came out of the oven, the intoxicating aroma of coffee and Kahlua filled the kitchen, promising something truly special. They baked up with that characteristic crinkled top and a perfectly chewy interior, just as a great crinkle cookie should be. My hubby, a notoriously discerning cookie critic, couldn’t keep his hands off them! He kept “snitching” them off the cooling rack before I even had a chance to properly photograph them, which tells you just how irresistible they are. It was a race against time to capture their deliciousness before they all vanished!
One of the secrets to the profound Kahlua flavor in these cookies is my dedication to homemade Kahlua. Every year, around Christmastime, it’s a cherished tradition in my home to whip up a generous batch of Homemade Kahlua. My recipe yields about a gallon of this rich, coffee-infused liqueur. I love sharing some with family and friends as holiday gifts, and the rest fills our household container, ready to be enjoyed throughout the year. There’s something incredibly satisfying about using your own homemade ingredients, and this Kahlua truly adds a depth of flavor that store-bought versions can’t quite match. It’s a labor of love that pays off in every sip and, now, in every bite of these amazing cookies.
Because let’s be honest, you never know when the mood will strike for a classic White Russian Cocktail, right? Having homemade Kahlua on hand means you’re always ready to whip up this creamy, delicious drink, or infuse your baked goods with an unparalleled coffee liqueur essence. It’s not just for cocktails; Kahlua is a magical ingredient that adds a sophisticated twist to so many desserts and beverages, making it an essential staple in my pantry.
Another crucial ingredient that Camilla’s original recipe introduced me to was Espresso Powder. This was a game-changer! While I hadn’t purchased it before, it was something I often wished I had on hand for various baking projects. Espresso powder is a secret weapon in chocolate baking, as it doesn’t make things taste overtly “coffee-like” but instead deepens and intensifies the chocolate flavor, making it richer and more complex. It’s a subtle enhancement that truly elevates any chocolate-based dessert. I quickly jumped on Amazon and ordered a container. (Side note: I absolutely adore my Amazon Prime account – less than 48 hours later, my espresso powder was sitting right on my porch! Talk about efficiency!)
While traditional crinkle cookies are often rolled in powdered sugar, Camilla’s recipe used regular granulated sugar. This detail sparked an exciting idea in my mind: why not take it a step further and infuse that sugar with Kahlua itself? I’ve successfully made Flavored Sugars with Extracts in the past, so the leap to a Kahlua-infused sugar seemed perfectly logical. The concept proved to be a resounding success! Coating the cookie dough in this unique Kahlua sugar before baking not only contributed to the beautiful crinkled texture but also delivered an extra burst of that delightful Kahlua flavor directly into every bite. It’s a subtle yet impactful enhancement that truly makes these cookies stand out. Cookies + Booze? Absolutely! It’s a pairing that’s always a winner in my book.
Our love for the rich, warm notes of Kahlua extends far beyond these crinkle cookies. This versatile coffee liqueur is a fantastic addition to both sweet and savory dishes (yes, even some savory ones, if you’re adventurous!). Its unique flavor profile complements chocolate, coffee, and even some fruit-based desserts beautifully. If you’re like us and can’t get enough of Kahlua, you’re in luck! We’ve gathered some more fantastic recipes that feature this beloved liqueur, each offering a different way to enjoy its distinctive taste. From indulgent cakes to spirited cocktails and even an unexpected twist on banana bread, these recipes are sure to inspire your next kitchen adventure.
We love the flavor of Kahlua! Here are some more recipes with Kahlua in them!
- S’more Banana Bread with Kahlua Caramelized Bananas: A classic comfort food elevated with a boozy, sweet twist.
- Mocha Chocolate Chip Icebox Cake: Layers of chocolatey goodness and a Kahlua-spiked mousse make for an unforgettable chilled dessert.
- White Russian Cocktail: The iconic, creamy cocktail that perfectly showcases Kahlua’s charm.
- Kahlua Mini Cheesecakes: Bite-sized delights that are rich, creamy, and infused with coffee liqueur.
- Salted Caramel Kahlua Layer Shot: A fun and flavorful shot perfect for entertaining.
- Bootleg Black Gold Whiskey Cocktail: For those who prefer a more robust and sophisticated Kahlua-infused drink.
Are you ready to bake up a batch of these truly exceptional Kahlua Crinkles yourself? I bet you are! The anticipation is part of the fun. Gather your ingredients, and let’s bring these delightful cookies to life.
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Print Recipe
Kahlua Crinkles
Equipment
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Whisks for Cooking, 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisk
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer
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13×18 Half Sheet Pan
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King Arthur, Espresso Powder, Certified Kosher, Reusable Plastic Jar, 3 Ounces
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Native Vanilla – Pure Coffee Extract – 4 Fl Oz
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 2/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter one stick
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon coffee extract
- 2 Teaspoons Kahlua
For the Kahlua Sugar:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Kahlua
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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To prepare Kahlua sugar: In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and Kahlua with a fork until the Kahlua is fully incorporated and the sugar is evenly coated. Set aside.
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To make cookies: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and instant espresso powder. Set this dry mixture aside. In a separate large mixing bowl (using a stand mixer or hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, sugar, coffee extract, and Kahlua for about 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Gradually fold in the dry flour mixture until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix.
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Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the cookie dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball, then roll it generously in the prepared Kahlua sugar, ensuring it’s well coated. Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving enough space between them for spreading.
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Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The tops will visibly crack, and the cookies will appear puffy and set around the edges. For a chewier cookie, avoid overbaking. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these decadent Kahlua Crinkles!
Notes
For an even more authentic and rich flavor, consider using my Homemade Kahlua Recipe. It makes a significant difference!
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