I absolutely love this Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe because it brings together a unique, earthy flavor from the buckwheat and the rich, deep taste of cocoa in such a comforting bite. When I first tried these cookies, the contrast of the salty Maldon sea salt with the sweet chocolate chips caught me off guard—in the best way possible—and now they’re a go-to when I want something a little different but deeply satisfying.
You’ll find that these cookies are perfect for cozy afternoons, pairing beautifully with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Plus, the buckwheat flour lends a lovely texture that’s slightly chewy yet tender, making these cookies stand out from your everyday chocolate cookie. If you’re curious about exploring a new twist on chocolate treats, this Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe is definitely worth a spot on your baking list.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Profile: Buckwheat flour adds a wholesome, nutty depth that pairs perfectly with salted chocolate.
- Perfect Sweet-Salty Balance: The sea salt sprinkled on top brings out the chocolate’s richness and adds a delightful crunch.
- Great Texture: These cookies bake up with tender, slightly chewy interiors and just enough crisp edges.
- Simple Yet Impressive: Uses everyday pantry ingredients but feels fancy enough to share at gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe blends common baking staples with the star ingredient, buckwheat flour. Shopping for these ingredients is straightforward, and I always recommend using good quality cocoa powder and fresh butter to get the best results.
- Buckwheat flour: This gluten-free flour is the base that gives these cookies their slightly nutty flavor and hearty texture; pick a fine-milled version for easier mixing.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Choose a rich, dark cocoa powder for bold chocolate flavor without sweetness.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve a light, soft crumb.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and caramel notes; I lightly pack mine when measuring for best results.
- Unsalted butter: Using room temperature unsalted butter lets you control the salt level and ensures smooth mixing.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work great here; they melt slightly but hold shape, adding lovely pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Strong espresso or coffee: A teaspoon adds depth and intensifies chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
- Powdered sugar: For dusting over the cookies before baking to add a delicate sweetness and pretty finish.
- Sea salt, preferably Maldon: I love Maldon for its flaky texture and clean saltiness — perfect for sprinkling on these cookies.
Variations
I like to switch things up based on what I have on hand or the mood I’m in—feel free to make this Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe your own by tweaking the flavors or adding mix-ins. It’s super forgiving and easy to adapt.
- Replace chocolate chips with chopped nuts: I sometimes swap in toasted walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture that complements the buckwheat beautifully.
- Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar: For a slightly earthier sweetness and a touch of caramel flavor, especially when baking for those avoiding refined sugars.
- Add spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of chili powder can give a fun twist, especially if you enjoy a little warmth or heat with your chocolate.
- Make it gluten-free: If you’re sensitive to gluten, buckwheat flour is naturally gluten-free, but make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free too.
How to Make Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking. Next, whisk together the buckwheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This ensures the cocoa and leavening are evenly distributed so you don’t get pockets of dry ingredients or uneven rising.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the room-temperature unsalted butter with the lightly packed light brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. I find this step key for soft cookies—the air you whip in helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture you want.
Step 3: Combine Everything
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar, mixing on medium-low speed until no dry spots remain. Then toss in the chocolate chips and the teaspoon of strong espresso or coffee, and mix on low speed just until blended. The espresso truly awakens the chocolate flavor—don’t skip it, even if you aren’t a coffee drinker like me!
Step 4: Chill and Shape
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface (buckwheat flour works great here to prevent sticking) and shape it into a log about 2 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. Here’s a little trick I learned: wrapping the log tightly in plastic wrap and chilling it for at least 1 hour makes slicing much cleaner and helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
Step 5: Slice, Sprinkle, and Bake
Once chilled, cut the dough crosswise into 12 even slices—you’ll notice the slices are fairly large, which is perfect because these cookies are substantial! Place them on your prepared baking sheet, then sprinkle each one lightly with powdered sugar and a pinch of flaky sea salt (Maldon salt is my favorite for this). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through for even cooking. The cookies will look cracked and slightly puffed but might feel a bit soft—that’s just right, as they firm up while cooling.
Pro Tips for Making Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough firms it up, making cutting easier and helping cookies keep their shape during baking.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: This ensures better creaming with the sugar, which affects texture and crumb.
- Espresso Powder Enhances Chocolate: Adding strong espresso or coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
- Watch the Bake Time Closely: These cookies should be pulled out when slightly soft; overbaking makes them dry rather than chewy and tender.
How to Serve Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often add a little extra Maldon sea salt right after baking for a nicely balanced salty crunch that contrasts with the cookie’s sweetness. Sometimes, for a festive touch, I dust the cooled cookies lightly with extra powdered sugar to make them look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with an afternoon cup of rich black coffee or a creamy latte. If you’re serving dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream complements the salt-chocolate duo perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a beautiful wooden board alongside fresh berries and small glasses of espresso or wine. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes them an elegant homemade gift that always impresses friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I always keep them layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain that tender texture.
Freezing
I’ve found the dough freezes really well—just wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and slice as usual. You can also freeze fully baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you want a freshly baked feel, I like to warm leftover cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to return that just-baked softness and warmth without drying them out. Microwaving can make them crumbly, so oven warming is my go-to method.
FAQs
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Can I substitute buckwheat flour with regular flour in this recipe?
You can, but you’ll lose the distinctive nutty flavor and slightly denser texture that buckwheat flour provides. All-purpose flour will make the cookies lighter but less unique. If you must substitute, try mixing half all-purpose and half buckwheat if you still want a bit of that special character.
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Why is espresso added to the cookie dough?
The espresso or strong coffee enhances and deepens the chocolate flavor without imparting a coffee taste. It’s a baking trick I learned that really uplifts chocolate-based desserts and adds rich complexity.
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Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make this Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe vegan, swap butter for a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan margarine, and replace chocolate chips with dairy-free vegan chocolate. The texture might shift slightly, so chilling the dough is even more important.
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How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?
Look for cracks on the surface and slight puffiness. The cookies should still feel a touch soft when you remove them from the oven, as they will firm up while cooling. Overbaking can dry them out, so it’s better to err on the side of slightly underbaked.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe truly holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it’s deliciously different yet easy enough for any home baker. I love sharing them with friends who thought they didn’t like buckwheat—this recipe always surprises and delights! Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy how it transforms simple ingredients into something a little extraordinary with that wonderful sweet-salty kick.
PrintSalted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookies offer a unique twist on classic chocolate cookies by using nutty buckwheat flour and a hint of sea salt. Rich with cocoa and studded with chocolate chips, they provide a slightly crispy exterior with a chewy, soft center. Perfect for those seeking a gluten-free alternative with a gourmet touch, these cookies combine robust flavors of espresso, brown sugar, and high-quality sea salt for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cup buckwheat flour, plus more for surface
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup (lightly packed) light brown sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon strong espresso or strong coffee, room temperature
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar (for sprinkling)
- Sea salt (preferably Maldon; for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375° F (190° C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking powder until fully combined and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the light brown sugar and room temperature unsalted butter in a large bowl for about 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring good incorporation of air for a tender cookie.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on medium-low speed until the dough is uniform and no dry spots remain.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Espresso: Mix in the chocolate chips and espresso or strong coffee on low speed just until blended, to distribute them evenly without overmixing the dough.
- Shape Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Shape it into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. If time permits, wrap and chill the dough for at least 1 hour to firm it up and enhance flavor melding.
- Slice and Prepare for Baking: After chilling, remove the dough log and slice it crosswise into 12 even pieces. Arrange the cookies spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle each with powdered sugar and a pinch of sea salt to add a lovely texture and flavor contrast.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through for even baking. The cookies should appear cracked, slightly puffed, and remain a bit soft as they will firm up when cooling.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, chilling the dough before baking is highly recommended but not mandatory.
- Using Maldon sea salt provides a nice crunchy finish, but any flaky sea salt will work.
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
- To make these cookies strictly gluten-free, verify that your buckwheat flour is certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
- Espresso enhances the chocolate flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg