Coffee Butter Streusel Bars (Print View)
Tender bars with coffee and streusel crumb topping, ideal for breakfast or as a sweet afternoon snack.
# Components:
→ Streusel
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Coffee Bar Base
06 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
13 - 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled
→ Glaze (optional)
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, blend flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until combined and crumbly. Refrigerate until needed.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly incorporated.
04 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light in texture. Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and brewed coffee until homogeneous.
05 - Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture in increments, mixing just until incorporated. Evenly spread batter in prepared pan using a spatula.
06 - Distribute chilled streusel mixture uniformly over batter.
07 - Bake in the center of oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center exits clean.
08 - Allow bars to cool completely on a cooling rack in the pan. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and brewed coffee together until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment paper, then slice into 12 even squares before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Bursting with real coffee flavor for a comforting pick-me-up
- Easy to make in one pan with simple ingredients
02 -
- Contains gluten, eggs, and dairy, making it unsuitable for those with related allergies
- For extra coffee flavor, you can add 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder to the base mixture
03 -
- Chill the streusel before baking for extra crunch and better texture
- Drizzle glaze only after the bars are fully cool to avoid melting