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Have you heard that expression “small but mighty”? When I hear it, the first thing I think of is my younger son. He is actually quite big for his age but considering that age is only 2 1/2 he is still small, all things considered. But oh, is he mighty. I wouldn’t say he has the terrible two’s though. I would just say that he is a force to be reckoned with. Most of the time he is very agreeable, cheerful and funny. But if he doesn’t get, say, a lollipop like his brother because he didn’t finish his lunch…watch out. He threw such a fit that I had to take him outside and even then people were staring across the street. Small but mighty.
On a visit to Holly B’s Bakery, you will find lots of large treats. The slices of pizza are huge, the cinnamon rolls are generous, even the cookies are big. These Cappucino Bars are not. They are slender and delicate looking but they pack a flavor punch. The combination of coffee, chocolate, and just a bit of cinnamon here is intoxicating. In spite of the title, the coffee flavor here is fairly subtle so even my coffee hating husband thinks they are delicious.
To buy the Holly B’s cookbook, please visit this site.
One Year Ago: Quick Olive and Cheese Bread and White Beans with Tomatoes and Sage
Cappucino Bars
With Love & Butter
32 bars
To get really flat bars, I find it works best to smooth them over with an offset spatula, using gentle pressure, just after they come out of the oven and before you apply the glaze.
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tbsp. instant coffee or espresso powder (not granules)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Glaze
2 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 375 F with the rack at the middle level. Line a 10×15 inch pan with baking parchment or grease lightly. (DT: This is also called a jelly roll pan.)
Cream together the butter, brown sugar, instant coffee, and vanilla. Blend in the flour, baking poser, and salt. Last, stir in the chocolate chips by hand. The mixture will be very crumbly, with barely enough dough to hold together the chocolate chips.
Use your fingers, palms, and heels of your hands to press the dough evenly into the pan. If necessary, cover the dough with wax or parchment paper and use a small rolling pin to flatten the lumps. Bake 5 minutes, rotate the pan, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until the edges are just starting to brown (watch carefully). Cool in the pan 5 minutes before spreading with glaze.
Put all the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan on medium heat. Don’t leave this stuff! Find a whisk and stir 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 and cut into bars with a sharp knife. (Holly recommends cutting 8 on the 10-inch side and 4 on the 15-inch side, equaling 32 candy-bar sized cookies. You can halve them too.)
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I have been sticking any number of things on a stick and calling them lollipops. Apple slice on a stick = apple lollipop. We also do cheese lollipops. It seems to defray the no lollipop wrath (which I am extremely familiar with) but then Nuni does not have an older brother to give the game away.
Comment by Kate @ Savour Fare — October 14, 2009 @ 12:33 am
Oh yum! This sounds like a perfect dessert when you’re already so full, but still want a taste of coffee and a little sweetness. I’ll have to make these soon!
Comment by Joy — October 14, 2009 @ 12:36 am
yum! can’t wait to try these! my husband was a coffee hater too. WAS! All it took was a trip to Italy and morning cappuccinos and he was turned. Thank god for that ;)
Comment by Tracy — October 14, 2009 @ 12:56 am
Ditto what Joy said! Sometimes I still need a little something sweet after dinner even though I’m stuffed. Treats like these are perfect!
Comment by Katie @ goodLife {eats} — October 14, 2009 @ 2:04 am
They look like the best treat. I love coffee, can’t wait to bake them. :)
Comment by Hélène — October 14, 2009 @ 3:15 am
looks amazing and super yummy!
Comment by Veggie Belly — October 14, 2009 @ 4:35 am
This looks like a great recipe, Dana. I bought some cappuccino chips at King Arthur Flour and was planning on saving them until I found the perfect recipe – I want them to be appreciated. This might be it! I imagine swapping half the choc chips for cappuccino would be fantastic.
Comment by Hilary — October 14, 2009 @ 9:48 am
Given the size of these, I think I’d be tempted to eat several at once! They look delicious, and the cinnamon glaze sounds lovely.
Comment by lisaiscooking — October 14, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
I love this sort of cookie. Everyone always says that sort of thing on blog comments, but I’m really serious. Yum. And a coffee-hating husband? How does he survive in life?!
Comment by The Leftoverist — October 15, 2009 @ 5:45 am
Yep – these are my favorite from With Love & Butter! They are “small but mighty” – love this phrase, especially in regards to kids! Thanks for today’s treat!
Comment by Katie — October 15, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
Yum, this looks more than perfect. I’d love to make these and I have everything I need, I’ll just need some help from the husband to make these (injured thumb!). I can’t wait!
Comment by kickpleat — October 15, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Ooo I love coffee flavoured treats. These look awesome.
Comment by Ashley — October 17, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Coffee hating husband? Seriously? I would have never known!
Comment by midori — October 22, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
hi! just made these and posted them. wonderful!
Comment by vanillasugar — April 10, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
I was looking for something to send my son at college. He told me these were absolutely the best cookies he has ever eaten, combining all of his favorite flavors.
Comment by becky — October 6, 2011 @ 6:54 pm
Just made these. They are so incredible!!! We are loving them! Question: how would you store them? Room temp or in the fridge?
Comment by NRS — February 20, 2012 @ 6:24 pm
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