#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Chocolate Espresso Bars

March 18, 2010 · Narrative

Chocolate Espresso Bars

The problem with visiting food blogs … is that when I’m done with my rounds, I have another set of recipes to add to my to-try pile.  The same holds true, of course, for watching Food Network and reading cooking magazines.  Of course that doesn’t stop me, but sometimes, the clippings, well, they threaten to take over.  Case in point: a few weeks ago, I headed to The Pioneer Woman‘s semi-new cooking forum, Tasty Kitchen.  A co-worker wanted me to make a recipe from there and I had misplaced my copy.  Once there, I lost all track of time and some forty-five minutes later, another ten recipes to make, I found what I was looking for.  One of the recipes I printed out was this one for Chocolate Espresso Bars.  You might remember seeing the picture in a Weekend Photos in Review post recently.  Technically, on The Tasty Kitchen, they are called Coffee Toffee Bars.  I wasn’t getting the “toffee” part, and renamed them in my head right away.

The recipe is crazysimple and the hint of coffee in the dough gives you a nice little java fix from the get-go.  The bars cut super-neat, and they smell amazing while they’re baking.  I bet you even have the ingredients on hand already, making it a fun sweet treat to whip up on the spot when you need to satisfy a craving or have last-minute guests pop in.

Project 365
March 18, 2010, Photo #66

It's Always Flip-Flop Weather

I am not a big flip-flop fan. Never have been, though I’m working on it. Madeline, on the other hand, has got that area covered. And then some. Every morning, when I get her ready, I put on her socks and shoes. Once we get downstairs, I head to the kitchen to get her morning milk, and she has, within minutes, taken off her socks and shoes and put on Nick‘s flip-flops. There are constantly little socks left in her wake around the first floor, and very often hidden wherever she feels like stashing them. I missed a class last week because not only had she hidden her socks, but her shoes too. So maddening sometimes, it’s a darn good thing she’s so cute.

A year ago today … a tasty weeknight meal courtesy of Sausage Stromboli.
Three years ago today … big, fat delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Four years ago today … a field trip to a local foodie haunt.
Chocolate Espresso Bars (aka Coffee Toffee Bars)
Recipe courtesy of The Tasty Kitchen

1 cup soft butter or margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon instant coffee (up to 2 tablespoons for more flavor) (I used espresso powder)
½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoons salt
2-½ cups flour (approximately)
1 cup chocolate chips (up to 2 cups!)

    Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Blend in the almond extract, instant coffee, baking powder and salt. Add enough flour to make a stiff dough. Press into a well-greased 9×13 pan (or a jellyroll pan if you’re doubling it) and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 F for 20 to 25 minutes.

    Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

    Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Chocolate Espresso Bars, Tasty Kitchen, The Pioneer Woman

    Comments

    1. Merry120 says

      March 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm

      Those look great! I feel the same way when I visit your blog. I have a pile of print outs of recipes from your blog to try!

      Reply
    2. Joanne says

      March 19, 2010 at 6:12 am

      It’s a good thing it’s almost flip flop season so that she can wear the flip flops outside…and maybe even get a pair of her own. Do I see a trip to Old Navy in the near future?

      Let’s not talk about bookmarked recipes. I have lists upon lists upon lists. It’s insane.

      These look amazing! I’ve bookmarked them. Sigh,.

      Reply
    3. Sarah says

      March 19, 2010 at 9:11 am

      Thanks for popping by my blog. Being a huge fan of both chocolate and coffee I think I am going to be trying that recipe soon it looks so good.
      Your daughter is very cute I’ve done the last minute sock hunt many times but none of my kids can stand the feel of thongs on their feet.

      Reply
    4. Kris #40 says

      March 19, 2010 at 11:52 am

      She’s too cute! Children’s Place has the best flip flops for kids – 2 for $5. We always stock up.

      Reply
    5. Amanda says

      March 19, 2010 at 6:09 pm

      Well. You get lost at Tasty Kitchen. I get lost here. I just spent WAY too long reading about you and your recipes and jelly beans and traditions and cheese and chocolate…

      Its already 5:00 and I have no dinner ready! I blame you! (but not really)

      :)

      Blessings!
      Amanda

      Reply
    6. Aimee says

      March 21, 2010 at 6:46 pm

      These bars combine my two favorite food groups: coffee and chocolate!

      Reply
    7. hahnak says

      March 23, 2010 at 12:29 am

      hahaha! great story! and thanks sooooo much for satisfying my curiosity (i asked about the chocolate coffee bars). :D yay! these sound positively nummilicious. off to bake…

      Reply
    8. Ramona says

      March 23, 2010 at 10:49 am

      I have to periodically throw out huge piles of printed recipes and clippings because I can’t walk in my junk room.

      Reply
    9. grace says

      March 25, 2010 at 6:52 am

      i think my to-make folder takes up about 77% of my hard-drive…
      these bars sound fabulous…make that 78%. :)

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

    Storytelling…
    Through photos.
    Words. And recipes.

    Archives

    Categories

    Instagram

    #flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
    I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
    Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
    I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

    Pinterest

    #flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
    I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
    Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
    I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
    Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
    I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
    Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
    Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

    Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design