Bready or Not: Irish Coffee Blondies

Posted by on Nov 8, 2023 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, cookies, nutty | 2 comments

This Irish Coffee Blondies recipe is a long-overdue revamp of a recipe I first shared over a decade ago on the first iteration of Bready or Not on LiveJournal. I made it a few times after that, only for the paper to be buried amid many other recipes.

Bready or Not: Irish Coffee Blondies

As I culled my recipe collection prior to moving, I rediscovered the print-out and knew I had to make it again soon because it’d help me use up some ingredients. Namely, sliced almonds and vanilla extract.

Bready or Not: Irish Coffee Blondies

My husband now mostly uses k-cups for his coffee, a brewing method we didn’t have available back when I first baked this. I found that the 3 Tablespoons of ground coffee called for in this recipe were the exact contents of a Starbucks k-cup. I love when things work out like this!

Bready or Not: Irish Coffee Blondies

This recipe would make a great dessert, but really, with the flavors, it’s even better for a breakfast or brunch. It’ll go great with coffee or tea!

Bready or Not: Irish Coffee Blondies

These soft, chewy bars are flavored with coffee and sweetness. They are perfect for a breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: almond, bars, coffee
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 9×13 pan
  • aluminum foil
  • nonstick spray
  • uneven spatula

Ingredients

Blondies:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) melted
  • 2 cups brown sugar packed
  • 3 Tablespoons ground coffee equals 1 K-cup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Glaze:

  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon water plus more if needed
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Instructions

Make the blondies

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
  • In a big bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Place the melted butter into a mixing bowl. Add the brown sugar, ground coffee, and salt. Stir to combine.
  • Add eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Pour batter into pan and level out; an uneven spatula makes that easy. Sprinkle with almonds.
  • Bake 27 to 30 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test. Let cool completely.

To complete with glaze

  • Mix together the melted tablespoon butter and extract. Gradually whisk in confectioners’ sugar. Add teaspoons of water, as needed, until the glaze is thick but can be drizzled. Place it in either a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip or a sandwich bag of which a corner will be snipped off. Drizzle glaze over blondies in a rough crosshatch pattern. Let glaze set for 1 hour before cutting blondies into squares. Store in a sealed container at room temperature. If making these in a warm place, put waxed paper between the stacked layers of blondies.

OM NOM NOM!

    2 Comments

    1. Sound yummy, Beth! Did you omit the Irish purposefully?

      • Hi, Marti! Yes, modifications are on purpose. The Irish flavors are now more of an inspiration than anything, as no alcohol could be included (beyond normal extract flavorings) as this was going to my husband’s work.