Chocolate Almond Espresso Bars

A couple years ago we stayed at the Kingsleigh Inn ­in the Bar Harbour area of Maine. The owners Pamela & Bryan were such gracious hosts and the food they served was AMAZING. These bars were a favorite for me so I had to get the recipe. I’ve adapted it slightly.

Servings
16bars
Servings
16bars
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2cup whole almonds, toasted & coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2tsp tsp instant espresso powder
  • 1 1/2tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4cuo semi­sweet chocolate chips
Crust & Topping
Filling
Instructions
Crust
  1. Cream butter & brown sugar until fluffy then turn beater speed to low and beat in salt and flour (1⁄2 cup at a time) just until dough forms.
  2. Press 2/3 of dough into buttered 8” square pan and bake about 12 minutes. Mix, by hand, almonds into remaining dough and set aside. Cool crust on wire rack.
Filling
  1. Dissolve espresso with vanilla in small bowl. Cream cream cheese and sugar then beat in espresso mixture and egg.
  2. Pour over cooled crust, top with chocolate chips and then with remaining topping.
  3. Bake 30-­35 minutes at 350 degrees until edges of crust are golden. Cool in pan on wire rack then cut into squares and enjoy!

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