I have always enjoyed chocolate covered espresso beans, but I have never been able to understand why they tend to be so expensive. There have been times in my life I think where I have spent $8 for a small bag. It doesn’t make any sense. The materials themselves are not actually expensive. I think they are a great little pick me up. They are a little snack that feels just too sophisticated to actually seem unhealthy (chocolate has antioxidants, right?). These turn out to be super fast to make, and I know I would love to receive chocolate covered espresso beans as a gift myself.
RECIPE: CHOCOLATE COVERED ESPRESSO BEANS
INGREDIENTS
1/3 – 1/2 pound espresso beans (I used Green Mountain Dark Magic Espresso Blend which worked great)
12 oz. bag of chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate)
2 cups cocoa powder (I used Penzey’s Spices Dutch Process Cocoa Powder which is very rich & delicious)
METHODS
- Fill a sauce pan with water and bring it to a simmer. Place a bowl or other saucepan on top on the simmering water without touching. Stir the chocolate occasionally and let it melt completely. Dump a bunch espresso beans in the chocolate and stir.
- Set up two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats. Put the cocoa powder in a wide bowl. Stir the chocolate and espresso beans with a fork.
- Gradually scoop up some of the beans and let the melted chocolate drip back into the pan or bowl.
- Drop the espresso beans spread out on your baking sheets. A minute or two later drop the espresso beans in the bowl of cocoa powder in a few batches.
- Take the espresso beans from the cocoa bowl and place them in a colander. Shake the excess cocoa powder over the baking sheets.
- As you do this to all of them, place the finished beans on plates in a single layer to cool completely.
Now, all you need is some cute packaging (a cellophane bag or small mason jar), a festive label, a darling ribbon, and a smile to really make a coffee lover’s holiday that much brighter.
Oh man! one of my favorite things ever.. and so nice that they are tossed in the cocoa.. no worries about tempering the chocolate! Total win!
What a great idea! Why have I never thought to make these before?
I love this idea. Definitely making some of these!