Iced Brown Sugar Coffee Bars

Only 40 days till we close on our house!! We may not be able to move in that day, it all depends on how fast our sellers find their new house. I must admit, as gorgeous as this apartment is, it's starting to not quite feel like home anymore. Now that we know where we're going, it's starting to feel a bit like a hotel. Is that awful of me? I can't wait to take pictures in my new kitchen, my new dining room... Having gorgeous natural light without having to go outside... I'll start taking more step-by-step pictures again!

Joe has his very first field trip today, to the zoo. He won't be home until 1:15! That's a whole 3 extra hours! I could do anything! But I'll probably end up taking a nap... :)

Iced Brown Sugar Coffee Bars (adapted from Cozycakes Cottage)
Printable Recipe

2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp instant coffee granules (I used decaffeinated)
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
12-oz pkg. semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Coffee Frosting:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tb butter, melted
1 tsp instant coffee granules
1 Tb boiling water

1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and/or line a large rimmed baking sheet.

Blend together brown sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Mix well; set aside. Dissolve coffee in boiling water; stir into mixture. Fold in nuts and chocolate chips.

Spread in prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.

Immediately frost with Coffee Frosting. Cut into squares. Makes 2 to 3 dozen.

For Frosting: Blend together powdered sugar and butter in a medium bowl; set aside. Dissolve coffee in hot water; blend into sugar mixture.

I didn't add the nuts to this batch because I planned on taking them to The Geologist's office, and I know there are some nut allergies there. But I tell you what, these were a HUGE hit!

We don't drink coffee, but we love the flavor, and these bars are scrumptious! When you bite into one of these warm, gooey bars the first flavors you get are rich chocolate and deep brown sugary-ness...

The coffee flavor hits you at the end, not overwhelming but enough to let you know it's there. Absolutely delicious, the perfect two o'clock pick-me-up! The pan was clear in minutes.