As Christmas approaches, we often hear parents tell their children that if they aren’t good, Santa will bring lumps of coal instead of presents. I assume it’s usually an idle promise because most of us like to shower our children with presents under the guise of Santa. I do remember, however, one year when my brother was an incorrigible teenager, my parents had had enough, and on Christmas morning he got a stocking full of coal. We learned later that coal was expensive and hard to find; my parents had put a lot of work into making their point.

The following Little Lumps of Christmas Coal are a good substitute for the real thing; they could be classified as “chocolate bombs” and when served in a small coal bucket, look pretty authentic. These cookies are easy to make, and while very chocolaty, get their black color from gel paste food coloring. They make a fun addition to a Christmas buffet or cookie tray.

7 Dozen Lumps of Coal

1/2 cup butter
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
2 eggs
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black gel food coloring

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Spray several mini muffin pans with non-stick spray.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with the instant coffee.
4. Beat in the eggs and black food coloring.
5. Place a fine strainer over the butter mixture and place the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder in the strainer; shake the mixture through.
6. Mix well and add the chocolate chips.
7. Scoop heaping teaspoons of the dough into the prepared pans.
8. Bake 10 minutes or until just barely set.
9. Remove from the pans and let cool.
10. Serve in a small galvanized bucket or store in an airtight container.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 53 Calories from Fat 25
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 47% Protein 5% Carb. 47%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 8 mg
Sodium 37 mg
Total Carbohydrate 6 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 2%