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Nibby Buckwheat Butter Cookies

From the book Pure Dessert by Alice Medrich

Introduction

Bits of roasted cocoa beans are a perfect complement to the nutty flavor of buckwheat. Since buckwheat flour is low in gluten, it works like cornstarch (but with flavor!) to give cookies a fine sandy texture that is crunchy yet very tender. Serve the cookies with blackberry sorbet.

Ingredients

	1¼	cups (5.6 ounces) all-purpose flour
	¾	cup (3 ounces) buckwheat flour
	½	lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
	⅔	cup sugar
	¼	tsp. salt
	⅓	cup cacao nibs
	1½	tsp. pure vanilla extract

Steps

Whisk the all-purpose and buckwheat flours together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, with the back of a large spoon or with an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar and salt for about 1 minute, until smooth and creamy but not fluffy. Mix in the nibs and vanilla. Add the flours and mix just until incorporated. Scrape the dough into a mass and, if necessary, knead it with your hands a few times, just until smooth.
Form the dough into a 12 by 2-inch log. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or, preferably. overnight.
Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
Use a sharp knife to cut the cold dough log into ¼-inch-thick slices. Place the cookies at least 1½ inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake until the cookies are just beginning to color at the edges, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking. Cool the cookies in the pans on a rack, or slide the parchment liners carefully onto the rack to free up the pans. Let cool completely. The cookies are delicious fresh but even better the next day. They can be stored in an airtight container for at least 1 month.

This content is from the book Pure Dessert by Alice Medrich.

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buckwheat,
chocolate,
cookies,
dessert,
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There are 58 comments on this item

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Average Rating 5

10% recommend this recipe

1. by Terry C on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:18 PM PST

I have never had anything with buckwheat and these sound delicious.

2. by damons on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:19 PM PST

These sound wonderful, and healthy for cookies!

3. by rtysons on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:20 PM PST

Ooo yum, another use for all my cocoa nibs (other than in brownies, where they are divine!). I’m adding these to the list, prob. for next year, as it’s getting a bit late this year to get much more done!

4. by nlaugust on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM PST

Buckwheat is such an assertive flavor. I wonder if these taste like buckwheat pancakes, only crunchier.

5. by pscheel on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM PST

I will definitely try these, if not for Christmas, then later on. I am all for less sweet cookies, too.

6. by Eric on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:39 PM PST

This is great as I just found a place where I can purchase cacao nibs. I also haven’t tried buckwheat, so I’m totally making these.

7. by nicole309 on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:40 PM PST

these sound really interesting.

8. by weth on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM PST

These do sound interesting - I’ve had buckwheat bread and pancakes, which I do like, but not something sweet with buckwheat like cookies. Will have to try!

9. by dianesprous on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:47 PM PST

These look yummy.

10. by faither on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:03 PM PST

Would say that these sound interesting.

11. by dgregory1022 on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM PST

never used buckwheat for a cookie

12. by mickey on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:12 PM PST

it’s an interesting idea, but I’m not sure that the guys I bake for will go for them.

13. by cdziuba on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:29 PM PST

I’ve had Buckwheat Pancakes, but these cookies are a new one on me. Sounds hearty and nutritious.

14. by Rose Roberts on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:32 PM PST

i’d like to try these - i never knew you could use buckwheat in cookies

15. by laikarose on Dec 18, 2008 at 2:57 PM PST

Not sure about this one. The flavor profile may be too ‘adult’ for me, but, then again, I’ve never known Alice Medrich to steer us wrong.

16. by hotmama on Dec 18, 2008 at 2:58 PM PST

Not sure about the buckwheat but anything with cocoa nibs has to be good!!!!

17. by lisalmg25 on Dec 18, 2008 at 3:21 PM PST

Sounds delicious. I love crunchy cookies and I’ve never tried buckwheat so this sound like a fun new recipe for us.

18. by flip58 on Dec 18, 2008 at 4:27 PM PST

This recipe looks delicious.

19. by anonymous on Dec 18, 2008 at 4:35 PM PST

I could eat a whole plate of these.

hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

20. by miriama59 on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:05 PM PST

Another new thing for me? Buckwheat in cookies.. How interesting.

21. by LOVESTOBAKEJUSTLAZY on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:16 PM PST

where do you find buckwheat? don’t mean to sound stupid but I have never seen it in the store.

22. by ennsee on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:23 PM PST

I’ve never thought to use Buckwheat in a cookie. I’ll have to give it a try.

23. by drala625 on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:32 PM PST

These really don’t sound very appetizing to me. Maybe if the name was changed.

24. by ptreskovich on Dec 18, 2008 at 6:53 PM PST

This is a very unusual type of receipe, but one I might try.

25. by Xanthippe on Dec 18, 2008 at 7:30 PM PST

Oooh, I adore the nutty goodness of buckwheat and am totally hot on cocoa nibs! Using the two together is inspired; I’ve a feeling these cookies will be sensational.

26. by The Lucky Ladybug on Dec 18, 2008 at 7:32 PM PST

I’ve never cooked with buckwheat, but these sound good and healthy :) Thanks for the giveaway!

27. by java on Dec 18, 2008 at 7:42 PM PST

interesting - I’ll add this to my “recipes to try”

28. by skstigger on Dec 18, 2008 at 7:53 PM PST

I have never made anything with buckwheat before but these cookies sound really good! I think that I will give them a try.

29. by MissEmma on Dec 18, 2008 at 8:06 PM PST

This sounds delicious and somewhat healthy!

30. by Diane on Dec 18, 2008 at 8:20 PM PST

I’ve never cooked with buckwheat, but after learning that it’s a grain that’s great for your cardiovascular system, I’m going to incorporate it into my cooking. Cookies are a great way to start!

31. by theodore esteghamat on Dec 18, 2008 at 8:33 PM PST

I will definitely try these this season.

32. by dolls123 on Dec 18, 2008 at 8:55 PM PST

Never heard of buckwheat before

33. by nesta67 on Dec 18, 2008 at 9:04 PM PST

What a great, simple recipe!

34. by dddiva on Dec 18, 2008 at 11:46 PM PST

I’ve never had buckwwheat but these look really good and different.

35. by Betty C on Dec 18, 2008 at 11:57 PM PST

I have never used buckwheat in cookies but I prefer something not so sweet and these look like something I would really like.

36. by garrettsambo on Dec 18, 2008 at 11:59 PM PST

I prefer sweet cookies. I don’t like buckwheat. garrettsambo@aol.com

37. by intime on Dec 19, 2008 at 2:53 AM PST

looks good

38. by Aisling on Dec 19, 2008 at 3:12 AM PST

I’ve had buckwheat pancakes and they’re quite good, so I think these cookies would be too. They’re very different from the standard cookies we bake and I think they’d be an excellent addition to the lineup.

39. by Darlene936 on Dec 19, 2008 at 4:28 AM PST

Wow! I’ve never baked with buckwheat but now cookies are not just for Christmas anymore!

40. by AsTheNight on Dec 19, 2008 at 4:38 AM PST

I’m with those who’ve posted they’ve never had this one before! Certainly seems more than interesting.

41. by Jane K on Dec 19, 2008 at 5:47 AM PST

I’d like to try baking these cookies someday.

42. by anonymous on Dec 19, 2008 at 7:59 AM PST

These sound delicious, I have never used Buckwheat while baking before. I really need to give these a try.

brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com

43. by donnak4 on Dec 19, 2008 at 8:08 AM PST

I want to try this.

44. by lilyk on Dec 19, 2008 at 8:39 AM PST

These cookies sound very tasty! I will definitely try out this recipe.

45. by dusksunset on Dec 19, 2008 at 9:03 AM PST

Sounds like something different and probably delicious, with an element of nutrition sneaked in.

46. by pwhite98270 on Dec 19, 2008 at 9:09 AM PST

I am glad I have found a new and tasty recipe for my buckwheat flour.

47. by Atreau on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:14 AM PST

These sound really good, I just might attempt them!

48. by anonymous on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM PST

these sound interesting, I’m curious about how they taste

49. by kathleenyohanna on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM PST

I love buckwheat in soups. I will try this cookie recipe because buckwheat is so good for you.

50. by choochoo on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM PST

These sound so goood! I might give these a holiday try! Thanks!

51. by Tammy on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM PST

They sound yummy, but I don’t know if my sweet tooth craving kids would go for them lol!

52. by Tammy Marshall on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:13 AM PST

I’ve never used the buckwheat flour before, but this recipe sounds like one I want to try!

53. by blueviolet on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM PST

I’ve never tried buckwheat flour before. They sound really good.

54. by Terri Preston on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:45 AM PST

I love any cookies, lol. So I will give these a try.

55. by veron on Jan 14, 2009 at 10:52 AM PST

Yep, I made these. It was delicious!
http://kitchenmusings.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/08/a-pantry-revisi.html

56. by Janice on Jan 18, 2009 at 7:14 PM PST

Hey, just wanted to say that while the intro describes buckwheat as “low in gluten” that should be “gluten-free.” Buckwheat is totally unrelated to regular wheat and does not contain gluten.

57. by Rachel on Feb 14, 2009 at 9:30 AM PST

Thanks for this. I only have certain ingredients in the house this weekend, but wanted to make some healthy cookies! Online posting is really useful as think buckwheat is slower to take off here where I live (in the UK)

58. by anonymous on Dec 11, 2011 at 6:33 AM PST

I make these from the original cookbook recipe (which looks the same as what is posted here) about once a month ... they are crazily addictive. Alice Medrich wins again!

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