Chocolate Espresso Bars Recipes

ESPRESSO BARK

Steps:

• Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Combine the chocolate chips and margarine in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Mix in the coffee beans until evenly distributed.
• Pour the chocolate out onto the waxed paper and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the pieces of white chocolate evenly over the top and press in lightly to make sure they stick. Place in the freezer until set, about 5 minutes. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

ESPRESSO CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• For the crust:
• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment or waxed paper. Spray the paper and the sides of the pan with cooking spray. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the graham crackers and sugar. Process until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the melted butter and blend until the mixture forms into clumps. Spread the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing gently to form an even layer. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden. Cool for 15 minutes.
• For the caramel:
• While the crust is cooling, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of cream, butter, sugar, and water. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully pour the caramel over the warm crust. Cool for 20 minutes. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
• For the chocolate layer: Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a small bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the espresso powder. Remove the springform pan from the freezer. Pour the chocolate mixture over the caramel layer and smooth with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with smoked sea salt, if using. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
• Allow the layers to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Using a warm, slightly wet knife, carefully cut around the edges of the chocolate layer. Release the side of the pan and remove the paper from the bottom. Cut into 1 1/2-by-1/2-inch bars and store airtight in a covered plastic container.

CHOCOLATE CHIP ESPRESSO BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper covering all four sides.
• Mix all ingredients for the crust and evenly distribute across the bottom of the pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the coconut milk and honey to a light boil, then simmer on low for two hours, stirring occasionally. Do not cover the pan. You will know you cooked it long enough when the coconut milk is reduced to half and has a thicker consistency and darker color, similar to sweetened condensed milk.
• Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler.
• Add 3/4 cup of the cooked coconut milk to the melted chocolate along with the ground coffee and salt, then stir to combine.
• Pour mixture over the crust and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.
• Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle top with chocolate chips, then set over a wire rack to cool.
• Once cooled cut into squares and serve.

CHOCOLATE CHIP ESPRESSO BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F, with the rack at middle level. Line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper or grease lightly. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, espresso powder, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. The dough will be very crumbly, with just barely enough dough to hold together the chocolate chips. Press dough evenly into the jelly roll pan with your hands. Bake for 5 minutes, rotate the pan, and bake for 5-10 minutes more or until the edges are just starting to brown (watch carefully... I baked mine for a total of 18 minutes). Cool in the pan 5 minutes before spreading with the glaze. To make the glaze, place milk, butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth and barely bubbly. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the bars and smooth out to the edges and corners with a rubber spatula. Cool until the pan is just warm to the touch, then cut into bars and serve.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350℉ (180℃). Lightly grease a 13inch x 9inch baking pan. Mix flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder and salt. Heat butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in flour mixture and nuts until blended. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until edges pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool on a wire rack. For frosting: Melt butter and chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in milk, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Refrigerate until cold, about 45 minutes. When cold, beat with a whisk until pale and stiff. Spread frosting on cooled bars. Let set about 1 hour before cutting bars.