Chocolate chip espresso bars

As soon as I saw the description of these, I knew I had to try them: cookie dough crossed with pie crust crossed with coffee. Who wouldn’t want a taste of that? I made them the other day, and they were gone way faster than I care to admit. Delicious, and I’ll definitely be making them again. They’re a type of shortbread cookie, since they’re basically flour, butter and sugar – no eggs – but the sugar is brown instead of white like in the classic shortbread cookies.

Anyway, here’s the recipe! I hope you give it a try. They hold up really well so you could definitely mail them or bring them to someone’s house without a hassle. And they’re perfect paired with coffee!

Chocolate chip espresso bars

From ButterBaking (it’s virtually the same recipe, I just omitted the cinnamon)

220g (1 cup) butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp instant coffee

2 cups plain flour

1 tsp salt (they were on the sweet and salty side, which I didn’t mind, but if you prefer something sweeter, just cut it in half)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cups chocolate chips (I didn’t have chips on hand, so I cut chocolate into chunks)

Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF).

If your instant coffee is coarse, bash it up in a mortar and pestle. Mine wasn’t so I skipped this and it was fine.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, vanilla extract and coffee until creamy and well combined.

Add the flour, salt and baking powder on low speed until just combined. Beat in the chocolate chips or chunks by hand. Mixture will be very crumbly.

Pour it into a rectangular baking tray and press dough with your hands.

Bake for about 5 minutes, then rotate the tray and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool before cutting into bars.

Here’s what the dough looked like when I poured it into the tray.

Already pressed and ready to go in the oven…

And ready to eat!

What do you think? Share your opinion in the comments.

14 thoughts on “Chocolate chip espresso bars”

Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove March 16, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Not a fan of coffee, but these look awesome (and if I didn’t know there was coffee in it, I would’ve grabbed a few)! Definitely something you could bring with you to a friend’s house

Ainhoa Post authorMarch 16, 2012 at 4:04 pm

It’s too bad you don’t like coffee Kristen! We really liked these.

Reply
Deanna @ TheChangingHouse March 20, 2012 at 4:55 pm

You don’t like coffee, Kristen?! Oh no! My sister has the same problem (yes, it’s a problem because everyone should love coffee; Starbucks coffee especially!!!) You should give it another try
They look terrific, Ainhoa! Can’t wait to make them!

Reply
1. Ainhoa Post authorMarch 20, 2012 at 5:01 pm
  
  Can you believe we don’t have Starbucks here yet?! Although my wallet thanks me for that, I think…
  
  Reply

Christine @ Casa-de-Christine March 16, 2012 at 1:38 pm

They do look tasty! Although I’m with Kristen- not a big fan of coffee. Although I’d probably still give it a try.

I also wanted to just say that I admire your food photography. It’s always so beautifully staged and well taken. I hope to one day be able to photograph food the way you do!