“O Coffee! Thou dost dispel all cares,
thou art the object of desire to the scholar.
This is the beverage of the friends of God…”

–“In Praise of Coffee”   Arabic poem 1511 AD

…Well, indeed!  Those soul satisfying and life affirming coffee slurps are pure poetry.  And a cafe au lait bite or two will elevate a hum drum coffee break even further.  These are from the wonderful King Arthur Cookie Cookbook, with minimal changes.

Print Recipe

A coffee break with cafe au lait bites

Delicate coffee and vanilla flavors in a cake- like cookie bar go so well with a good cup of coffee.

Servings

bars

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup butter melted and cooled
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups flour
• 3 tbsp. espresso powder
• 1/4 cup half and half

Servings bars Ingredients 3 large eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 3/4 cup butter melted and cooled 1 tsp. salt 2 cups flour 3 tbsp. espresso powder 1/4 cup half and half

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 and lightly grease 9" x 13" pan.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs until thick and pale in color. Slowly add sugar, beating until glossy. Add the butter and vanilla, beating well. Add flour and salt and mix well.
3. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of batter.
4. Stir the espresso powder into the half and half, then add to the remaining batter, mixing well. Spread this into the prepared pan.
5. Spoon the reserved batter over the top of the coffee batter. (It will be thick) Run a knife through this, and swirl to make a marbled pattern.
6. Bake the bars for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool before cutting into desired size bars.