Chocolate Coffee Baton Cookies

These are a staple at our family gatherings during the holidays. The coffee gives a grown up taste, yet the kids love them, too.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Yields: 50 cookies

Ingredients

• 2  cups flour
• 1  tablespoon instant coffee powder (Sanka or espresso)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2  tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2  tablespoons heavy cream
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 cups pecans, finely chopped

Directions

1. Sift together flour, coffee powder, salt and baking powder; set aside.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in flour mixture ½ cup at a time alternating with the cream.
4. Cover, chill 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
5. Heat oven to 375°F.
6. Using approximately 3 tbsp for each, form dough into logs 3 inches long and 1 ½ inches in diameter.
7. Place logs 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes.
9. Remove from baking sheet and cool on rack.
10. In top of a double boiler combine the chocolate pieces, water and 2 tbsp sugar.
11. Stir over hot water until chocolate melts.
12. Add vanilla, remove from heat.
13. Dip ends of each cookie into chocolate and then into chopped nuts.
14. Place on wax paper until chocolate hardens.
15. Store in air tight container.