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Rich Espresso Bars with Buttercream Frosting

Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Nov 22, 2008
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With coffee infused in both the base and frosting, these bars sweetly complement either a steaming cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk!

Rich Espresso Bars with Buttercream Frosting

  • Prep Time 25 min
  • Total 3 hr 50 min
  • Ingredients 16
  • Servings 32
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Ingredients

Bars

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired

Espresso Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/3 cup whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup white vanilla baking chips
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Garnish

  • 32 chocolate-covered espresso coffee beans

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening, or spray with cooking spray.
  • Step 
    2
    In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter and the brown sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and sugar is moistened. Remove from heat. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and the eggs; beat with spoon until smooth.
  • Step 
    3
    In small bowl, stir together flour, 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons espresso powder, the baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture. Beat with spoon until well blended. Stir in pecans. Spread evenly in pan.
  • Step 
    4
    Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on cooling rack about 30 minutes.
  • Step 
    5
    In 2-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream, 1/4 cup butter and the baking chips over medium heat, stirring frequently, until chips and butter are melted. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon espresso powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the powdered sugar; beat well with spoon (mixture will be lumpy). Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
  • Step 
    6
    Beat chilled mixture with electric mixer on high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over bars. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Top each bar with 1 coffee bean. Cover and refrigerate any remaining bars.

Nutrition

140 Calories
8g Total Fat
1g Protein
17g Total Carbohydrate
14g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories
140
Calories from Fat
70
Total Fat
8g
12%
Saturated Fat
5g
25%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
30mg
9%
Sodium
75mg
3%
Potassium
50mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
17g
6%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
14g
Protein
1g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
4%
4%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
2%
2%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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