Coffee Crunch Bars

By stancec44

Ingredients

• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. + 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (room temp.)
• 1 1/4 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. sliced almonds

Details

Servings 48

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325. Whisk first 3 ingredients in med. bowl to blend.

Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in another med. bowl until blended, about 2 minutes. Add espresso powder and almond extract; beat 1 minute. Stir in flour mixture in 3 additions, mixing until just absorbed after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips & almonds (dough will be thick).

Turn dough out onto ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Using hands, press dough into 12" square. Pierce all over w/fork at 1" intervals.

Bake until edges are lightly browned and beginning to crisp, 45-50 minutes. Cool on sheet 1 minute. Cut into 48 bars. Immediately transfer to rack; cool (bars will crisp as they cool).

Can be made 5 days ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.