These espresso cookies are a classic buttery shortbread cookie with a delightful crunch and rich espresso flavor. Made with staple ingredients and espresso powder, latte cookies are so easy to make.

Beyond how easy they are to make (and how incredibly delicious they are) they also make a beautiful gift for the holidays.

Wrap them up with these charming free printable gift tags to say “wishing you a latte joy” or “sending you a latte love” to anyone on your list!

Espresso cookies stacked in a clear bag and tied with a brown bow.

This year I’m sharing another very giftable Christmas cookie recipe – Espresso Cookies! Espresso Cookies are beautiful cutout cookies with rich espresso flavor and a nice buttery crunch.

I love a homemade gift. It’s truly one of my love languages… and wrapping up something homemade in my kitchen with a beautiful, charming gift tag is even better. Does it get any cuter than this?

Well, maybe. But only if it’s my latte bread… which is equally delicious and makes a delightful gift, too!

Espresso cookies (or latte cookies– call them whatever you want) are incredibly delicious and easy to make. They’re a twist on traditional shortbread cookies made with staple ingredients – butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, salt and of course, espresso powder!

One of the things that I love about these cookies is that they are super flexible. You can use a scalloped cookie cutter for pretty edges and serve them just as they are.

Or, make an espresso filling and turn them into espresso sandwich cookies. Serve with an afternoon latte and you’re all set… that’s the coziest wintertime vibes I can dream up!

Espresso cookies stacked on a marble countertop.

Why You’ll Love these Espresso Cookies

  • Easy to make
  • Not an overwhelming flavor of espresso
  • So beautiful for gifting
  • Delicious flavor
  • Great with a cup of coffee!
Latte cookie with filling between two layers, broken in half on a white countertop.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Butter – Salted or unsalted, your preference – but I love to bake with salted butter for a little sweet to salty balance. (If you use salted butter, simply eliminate the additional salt in this recipe.) You’ll want the butter to be softened. You can get my tips to soften butter here.
  • Sugar – White granulated.
  • Vanilla Extract – Adds a hint of flavor – learn how to make Homemade Vanilla Extract here, which makes another amazing gift.
  • All Purpose Flour – No need to sift.
  • Espresso Powder – The main ingeredient that offers flavor and beautiful specks. I use this espresso powder because it blends so seamlessly into recipes, but if you’re in a pinch with something easy to find in your grocery store, this espresso powder will do, too!
  • Salt – Salt brings out all the other flavors in baked goods.

Variations

  • For a little less espresso flavor, use instant coffee instead.
  • Try almond extract instead of vanilla extract.
  • Filling (to make espresso sandwich cookies) is optional.
  • Try this easy glaze recipe over the top of these espresso cookies for another finishing touch!
Shortbread Espresso cookies stacked in a clear bag with a tag that reads "thanks a latte"

How to Make Espresso Cookies

  1. Prep – Preheat oven.
  2. Combine Sugars and Butters – In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine sugar, butter and vanilla.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients – Add flour, salt and espresso powdered until combined.
  4. Make Dough Discs – Shape dough into a disc, wrap and refrigerate.
  5. Roll and Cut – On a floured surface, oll out dough and cut into shapes.
  6. Bake as directed. Espresso cookies on a white surface.
  7. Optional Filling – Allow to cool and add the optional espresso cream filling for an extra indulgent treat. It’s so good I could eat it by the spoonful! The espresso cream filling is made with water, espresso powder, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.
Espresso cookies stacked on a marble countertop.

Tips

Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

Latte cookie with filling between two layers, broken in half on a white countertop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does espresso do in cookies?

Espresso deepens the flavor of these cookies, creating a subtle, but not overpowering fragrance and taste of coffee.

Can I use ground espresso in baking?

Espresso is an incredible flavor enhancement and is used in a wide variety of savory recipes, as well. Espresso doesn’t necessarily make your baked goods taste like coffee – it just creates more depth of flavor!

How to Store

  • At Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container up to one week.
  • Refrigerator – These cookies do not need to be stored in the fridge, but if you choose to do so, store them in an airtight container for up to one week.
  • Freeze – Store in an airtight container or freezer bag, unfilled, up to 3 months.
espresso cookies in a cello wrapped stack, tied with a brown satin bow and gift tag that reads "sending you a latte love"

Dietary Considerations

  • Nut Free
  • Vegetarian
  • For Gluten Free, sub with 1:1 gluten free flour
christmas cookie gift

How to Gift these Espresso Cookies

These make such a beautiful, heartfelt gift.

latte cookies with gift tags
  • First, download the free file linked below.
  • Print at home using basic or textured card stock.
  • Cut, and bag your cookies for the most beautiful gift!
  • They stack beautifully and are easy to package in cellophane bags tied with a beautiful ribbon.
  • Create a coffee lover’s gift basket. Choose a new coffee mug, favorite espresso beans, and more. Paired with these espresso cookies it’s an instant win!
latte gift tags on a marble surface

I have created free printable gift tags that say “Wishing you a latte joy” and “Sending you a latte love”. You can get them right here!

More Tips for Using these Tags:

  • A home printer – This one has been great for us for years! Print right from your phone.
  • Heavy cardstock – While not necessary, it makes these tags feel elegant enough to add to the most special of gifts. You can of course just use any paper you have on hand!
  • A steady hand with scissors or a paper cutter for cleaner edges.
  • A hole punch for the perfect spot to thread your ribbon.
christmas gift tags with an image of a mug latte, wording reads "wishing you a latte joy" and "sending you a latte love".
espresso cookies in a cello wrapped stack, tied with a brown satin bow and gift tag that reads "sending you a latte love"

Wishing you a latte joy this holiday season.

latte cookies with scalloped edge stacked on top of each other
4.93 from 13 votes

Espresso Cookies

Espresso Cookies are a classic buttery shortbread cookie with a buttery crunch and rich espresso flavor made with staple ingredients and espresso powder. Latte Cookies are easy to make and gift for the holidays.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 48
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Ingredients  

  • 2 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons espresso powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Espresso Cream Filling

  • 2 tablespoons hot tap water
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder heaping
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • cups powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter and vanilla.
  • Add flour, espresso powder and salt. Mix until combined.
  • On floured plastic wrap, press dough into a disc shape (like a thick plate) wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • While the dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350°F.
  • On floured parchment paper, roll dough to ¼" thick.
  • Cut dough into shapes and peel excess dough dough away. Transfer parchment paper filled with cutouts on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 15 minutes or until set (based on a 3" cookie).

Tips

Variations

Cream FilledCombine cream filling ingredients. Spread onto cooled cookie and top with another cookie.

Tips

  • Cutouts – Use various cookie cutters to create unique shapes. Larger cutouts will require additional baking time while time will need to be reduced for smaller cutouts.

To Store

  • At Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
  • Freeze – Store in an airtight container or freezer bag, unfilled, up to 3 months.
Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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19 Comments

  1. Hi Julie, these cookies look delicious! Do you recommend a vegan alternative to the butter? I’d love to make these for my vegan family this Christmas!