Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

4 teaspoons instant espresso 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1/8 teaspoon salt 

4 tablespoons unsalted butter 

2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar 

1 large egg 

4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled 

1 tablespoon milk 

Confectioners' sugar, for coating 

Preparation

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat in milk until just combined. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Pour confectioners’ sugar (about 1/2 cup) into a medium bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar two times, letting them sit in sugar between coatings.

Place on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12 to 14 minutes; cookies will still be soft to the touch. Cool cookies on a wire rack.