Wholewheat Mocha cookies

Whole wheat Mocha Cookies-celebrating spring

   It is the end of February and the warms gusts of wind are force shedding the old leaves off the trees.It is a small fortnight of an autumn that is typical to Bangalore which then lifts the curtains to a new spring. As I jog this morning I notice the myriad shades of bougainvillea smiling down, spreading cheer to all the onlookers.The Tabebuia buds are beginning to bloom and in another ten days ,the gorgeous  flowers will paint the town pink. It is such a profound change from dark dusty brown to delicate pink cheer...that one cant help appreciating the mystery of this converting change. The same elements in life change from challenge to joy, from definite closures to new beginnings.I remember this beautiful poem in my head as my eyes feast on the colorful spectacle of Spring. 

 The trees are coming into leaf
Like something almost being said;
The recent buds relax and spread,
Their greenness is a kind of grief.

Is it that they are born again
And we grow old?No, they die too,
Their yearly trick of looking new
Is written down in rings of grain.

Yet still the unresting castles thresh
In full grown thickness every May.
Last year is dead,they seem to say,
Begin afresh,afresh afresh.
                         Philip Larkin 

These chocolate cookies are great for packing for a trip or for lunch boxes too.The wholewheat flour makes these cookies less sinful while giving a little nutty flavour .

 I baked these cookies mainly for my son so that he can munch on something healthy when he returns from his play. He seemed to like it as he gobbled two in one go, so I packed him some for his snack time at school today. The cookies are very crispy in texture and light in taste. One can also add a dash of cinnamon to enhance the chocolate flavour. Although I did not do that .

 

Ingredients

. 1/2 cup softened butter

. 1/2 cup powdered sugar

. 1 cup whole wheat flour

. 2 tsp cocoa powder

. 1/2 tsp baking soda

. 1 tsp instant coffee powder dissolved in one tsp boiling milk and cooled

. A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 165 degrees and grease the cookie tray.
2. In a big bowl cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Sieve the flour,cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together and add this mix in batches to the butter. Add the coffee liquid and knead a soft dough. If the mixture feels too dry use another tablespoon of milk. However refrain from adding too much liquid as the cookies will turn out hard.
4.Shape the cookies with the help of cookie cutter and place it on the greased cookie tray
5. Bake at 165 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes. The cookies will be soft when  you take it out of the oven but will turn crispier as they cool.