Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day with Irresistible Coffee Bars

What a day to celebrate! Today marks National Chocolate Chip Day, and for anyone who shares an unyielding love for those delightful little morsels of chocolate, it’s a truly special occasion. As a passionate baker, I seize every opportunity to infuse chocolate chips into as many dishes as possible. This particular day, however, provided the perfect excuse – a magnificent reason, really – to get creative and whip up something entirely new and utterly delicious: our Best Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars.

There’s an undeniable joy that comes from baking with chocolate chips. Whether they’re melting into a warm cookie, adding a sweet surprise to a muffin, or transforming a simple bar into a decadent dessert, their presence is always a welcome one. Today, we’re taking that love to a whole new level with a recipe that promises to become a permanent fixture in your baking repertoire. Get ready to indulge in a treat that harmoniously blends rich chocolate with the invigorating essence of coffee.

Discover the Irresistible Charm of Our Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars

Just look at them! Don’t they promise a moment of pure bliss with every bite? These bars are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. Picture a tender, rich chocolate crust, topped with a velvety smooth, coffee-infused chocolate layer, all crowned with an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips and crunchy toffee bits. The aroma alone is enough to make your heart sing, a comforting blend of freshly brewed coffee and deep cocoa.

What truly sets these bars apart is their unique flavor profile. I even managed to win over my husband, who, believe it or not, isn’t typically a huge fan of chocolate chips. I know, shocking! But the secret lies in the sophisticated twist: instead of traditional vanilla, we’ve infused these bars with rich coffee extract. This addition elevates the chocolate, creating a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and incredibly addictive. The coffee extract doesn’t overpower; instead, it harmonizes with the chocolate, creating a delightful dance on the palate. Of course, if coffee isn’t your preferred flavor, you can easily substitute it with another favorite extract like almond, peppermint, or even orange for a different delightful twist.

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Coffee Bar Recipe

This recipe combines a fudgy, cake-like chocolate crust with a creamy, coffee-infused chocolate topping, creating a truly memorable bar that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a fantastic treat for coffee lovers, chocolate aficionados, and anyone looking for a comforting, homemade dessert.

Ingredients

For the Basic Crust:

1-1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp coffee extract

For the Topping:

1 – 11 oz bag chocolate chips (about 1 ¾ cups)
1-1/2 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp coffee extract
2/3 cup toffee bits
1/2 cup chocolate chips (for garnish)

Instructions

Follow these steps closely to create perfectly balanced and deliciously moist Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars.

Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring that a little excess parchment extends beyond the pan’s edges. This overhang will serve as handles, making it incredibly easy to lift the cooled bars out later.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Make sure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to ensure even distribution in the crust.
Cream Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy. Incorporate the large egg yolk and 1 tsp of coffee extract, beating until everything is well blended and smooth.
Form the Crust Dough: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Press into Pan: Drop the dough into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. Using your hands or the back of a spoon, press the dough down evenly until it forms a thin, uniform layer covering the entire bottom of the pan.
Pre-Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 20 minutes, or until the surface appears dry and set. It won’t be fully cooked but will be firm enough to hold the topping.
Adjust Oven Temperature: Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven. Immediately reduce your oven temperature to 325 degrees F (160 C).

While your bottom crust is baking, prepare the rich coffee chocolate topping:

Melt Chocolate Chips: Place the 11 ounces of chocolate chips (from the topping ingredients) into a medium, heatproof bowl.
Heat Milk: In a small saucepan, gently heat the 1-1/2 cups of milk until it reaches a simmer. Do not let it boil vigorously.
Combine Milk and Chocolate: Remove the hot milk from the heat and carefully pour it over the chocolate chips in the bowl. Let it sit for about a minute, then whisk continuously until all the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Add Remaining Topping Ingredients: Whisk in the 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 2 tsp of coffee extract until they are thoroughly blended into the chocolate mixture.
Temper Eggs (Cool the Mixture): At this point, it’s crucial that your chocolate liquid has cooled slightly. It should be warm, but not scalding hot, to prevent the eggs from scrambling. If it’s too hot, let it sit for a few more minutes.
Whisk in Eggs: Once the mixture has cooled sufficiently, whisk in the 4 large eggs until they are completely combined, and the topping mixture is uniform and smooth.
Assemble the Bars: Pour the prepared rich chocolate-coffee liquid evenly over your pre-baked crust. The crust should have just been removed from the oven a few moments before you finish the chocolate liquid mixture, so it’s still warm.
Bake the Topping: Return the pan to the oven (now at 325 degrees F) and bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges of the topping have risen slightly higher than the center, and the center is just set. You might notice some spots rising into large bubbles during baking; don’t worry, these will flatten once the bars cool.
Add Garnish: After removing the bars from the oven, immediately sprinkle the toffee bits and the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips over the warm surface. The residual heat will slightly melt the chocolate chips, helping them adhere.
Initial Cooling: Set the pan, still containing the bars, on a wire rack to cool at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. This allows them to begin firming up.
Chill to Set: For the best results and ease of cutting, transfer the pan to the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours. This chilling time is essential for the bars to fully set and achieve their perfect texture.
Cut and Serve: Once fully set and chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire bar from the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into desired squares or rectangles.
Storage: Store these delectable Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and firm texture. They are perfect for a special treat, an afternoon pick-me-up, or sharing with friends!

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at [Your Blog Name] cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.

Love this recipe? Follow @KleinworthCo for even more tasty recipes!

Join the Sweet Celebration: Our Monthly Chocolate Chip Recipe Round-Up!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce a brand-new collaboration that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! To truly make National Chocolate Chip Day special, I’ve teamed up with five other incredible bloggers, all passionate about baking and creating deliciousness. This exciting partnership marks the official kick-off of our monthly “Recipe Round-Up” series, where we’ll explore different culinary themes together. For our inaugural event, what better way to celebrate than by sharing an array of our favorite chocolate chip recipes?

This “Recipe Round-Up” is a fantastic opportunity to discover new inspirations, learn diverse baking techniques, and expand your recipe collection with tried-and-true favorites from seasoned food bloggers. We’ve each poured our hearts into creating something special for you, ranging from comforting classics to innovative twists. We invite you to explore all the fantastic contributions from our collaborating blogs. Gather these amazing recipes and add them to your personal cookbook – you won’t regret it! And make sure to stay tuned next month to see what exciting theme we’ll be tackling next.

Featured Chocolate Chip Recipes from Our Bloggers:

Here’s a glimpse into the wonderful world of chocolate chip creations shared by my talented friends this month:

Best Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars from Kleinworth & Co.
These are the very bars you’ve just learned to make! Our signature recipe marries the comforting warmth of coffee with rich chocolate, all resting on a sturdy, cocoa-infused crust. They’re dense, chewy, and utterly decadent, perfect for pairing with your morning coffee or as an after-dinner delight.
Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Ever from Nap-Time Creations
Elevate your classic banana bread with a generous scattering of chocolate chips! This recipe promises a moist, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert. The chocolate chips melt beautifully, adding pockets of sweetness to the naturally sweet banana base.
Best Chocolate Chip Brownies with Kahlua from One Martini at a Time
Prepare for a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic. These rich chocolate brownies are not just loaded with chocolate chips; they’re also infused with the smooth, coffee-flavored liqueur Kahlua, creating an intensely flavorful and irresistibly grown-up treat that’s perfect for entertaining.
S’Mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from The Taylor House
Bring the campfire indoors with these creative cookies! This recipe ingeniously combines the gooey delight of s’mores – toasted marshmallows, melted chocolate, and graham cracker goodness – into a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie, offering a nostalgic and delightful experience.
Chocolate Chip Cannoli Bites from Let’s Dish
Experience a taste of Italy with these unique bite-sized treats. Imagine the creamy, subtly sweet filling of a cannoli, studded with mini chocolate chips, all encased in a delicate, crispy shell (or a cookie adaptation). These are a creative and utterly charming way to enjoy classic Italian flavors.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Lava Cakes from Mostly-Homemade Mom
Indulge in the ultimate warm dessert experience! These individual lava cakes feature a tender chocolate chip cookie exterior that, when broken open, reveals a molten, gooey chocolate center. Served warm, they are the epitome of comfort and luxury, perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in.

Want to Join Our Future Recipe Round-Ups?

Are you a fellow blogger with a passion for baking and sharing delicious recipes? Do you dream of collaborating with a community of like-minded food enthusiasts and showcasing your culinary creations to a wider audience? We are always looking for talented individuals to join in on the fun of our monthly Recipe Round-Up series!

If you’re interested in participating in upcoming round-ups and becoming part of this exciting venture, we’d love to hear from you. For more details on how to join, what our themes will be, and how you can contribute, please send an email to Gina at Kleinworth & Co. at chichomeschoolmama{at}att{dot}net. We’re eager to expand our community and share even more amazing recipes!

Connect With Us and Share Your Sweet Journeys!

We absolutely adore connecting with our readers, fellow bakers, and food enthusiasts. Your culinary adventures, feedback, and shared love for all things delicious truly inspire us every day. After you’ve had the chance to whip up these incredible Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars or explore any of the other delightful chocolate chip treats from our round-up, we encourage you to share your creations and experiences with us!

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