Gert Garibaldi’s First Date Flutters

Inspired by the flavors of Gert’s first official date—Coke and Junior Mints at a movie followed by a chocolate-coffee concoction this cookie evokes the fluttery joy of crushes and hints that the best is yet to come. 

12 oz Coke Classic
2 tsp espresso powder
3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped, or use chips
1 C. butter
1 C. white sugar
1C. brown sugar, packed
1 C. Dutch processed cocoa powder
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
2 tsp, baking soda
4 C flour
1 bag (2 C) mini chocolate chips
Granulated Sugar
Junior Mints

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. On medium high heat reduce the Coke until there is only 1/3 cup left, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the espresso powder and chopped chocolate. In your mixer, cream butter and sugars. Add cocoa powder and incorporate fully. Add eggs, vanilla, salt and soda mixing well. Add 2 cups of the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in the coffee-chocolate mixture, then the rest of the flour. Fold in the mini chocolate chips. Scoop golf ball sized balls of dough, roll in granulated sugar place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes depending on your preference for soft to crispy cookies. Remove from oven, quickly press 2 Junior mints into the top of each cookie and return to the oven for 2 minutes. Remove and cool.
Variation: To hide the mints inside the cookie, scoop the dough into golf ball sized balls and flatten, press the mints into the center and re-roll the ball, then roll it in the sugar. Bake only 8-10 minutes, remove and cool.