Tuesday

Decadent Cappuccino Bars and Announcing an Upcoming GIVEAWAY!!


(Or Cappuccino Squares ~  actually they ended up becoming triangles in this case.)

So . . . 


If you happen to be sailing or taking a ferry to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state anytime between early April and late November, a visit to Holly B's Bakery on Lopez Island is a must.  A true family business, Holly B's has been producing incredible bakery goods on the island for well over 30 years and has a loyal following of delighted patrons.

Holly B's Cappuccino Bars are just one of my favorites. 





These are deliciously decadent ~ something you would likely spend a couple of dollars for at your favorite coffee place.  Imagine a slightly crisp, buttery and chewy cookie base with a hint of espresso and good chocolate, topped with a paper thin, crisp, sweet cinnamon glaze ~  these are the perfect partner for a cup of your favorite java, hot tea, or cold milk.




Here's Beautiful Holly!


Photo courtesy of Holly B's Bakery, Lopez Island, Washington state.
Visit Holly B's Bakery website HERE







Simple to make ~ a flour and butter shortbread cookie base flavored with instant espresso powder, vanilla and then chocolate pieces stirred in. The dough is pressed into a jellyroll pan and baked for 8 to 10 minutes.





After taking the cookie base from the oven a warm glaze; hot mixture of confectioner's sugar, butter, milk and a touch of cinnamon is poured and spread over the top and allowed to cool slightly.  The bars or squares are best cut while the cookie base is still warm to the touch. (They cut more cleanly that way.)






You can use chocolate morsels or chopped chocolate.  I used semi-sweet morsels this time ~ but I prefer a dark, less sweet chocolate because I'm not such a fan of overly sweet 'sweets' and the final glaze adds an additional sugar kick which is plenty sweet for me. I ended up cutting them into triangles.


  Next time, I'll go back to using chopped dark chocolate.

But if you like SWEET ~ the semi-sweet chips will make your 'sweet' craving sing! 




These have been taste tested by many in my world ~ and have received solid thumbs up all around. (Both the semi-sweet and dark chocolate versions.)

 
A cup of steaming coffee, hot tea, or ice cold milk suits them beautifully whether you choose to use semi-sweet, or a darker chocolate.



~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


Can't get to Lopez Island anytime soon? Not to worry!

Many recipes for Holly B's most popular baked goods are available in her cookbook "With Love and Butter"; available through the website above, or through amazon.com. The book also relates the story of how Holly and her husband achieved their dream of opening a country bakery, and includes history Lopez Island. 




If you would like a printable copy of my adaptation of the recipe ~ you'll find it on the Once Upon a Plate recipe blog . . . Here.






Please check back this week ~ 


I'll be announcing a wonderful giveaway . . .




Hint:  It's something that will put these treats right over the top.




Thank you for stopping  ~ I hope you have a delicious day!


17 comments:

  1. Oh, Mari, these look delicious! See the photo of the one with the bite taken... I did that :)

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  2. Jacques will LOVE these..your photos are mouth watering.. Thank you~

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  3. Mari, Mari, Mari - looks so incredibly yummy. I really did not need to see this post before breakfast ;).

    xo
    Patricia

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  4. Hi again.... I'm not able to click on your recipe blog link.

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  5. Mari, You are a tease! I was thinking as I was reading this post..."Oh, wonderful... I can make these for Thanksgiving". Now I'll have buy the book and wait until Christmas!

    I LOVE your swiss chard and parmesan torte. I would like to put it on my menu next week with a link back to your post.
    May I also use your gorgeous title photo with a photo credit.
    Please let me know
    YUMMY!
    Yvonne

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  6. Chocolate and coffee are one of my favorite combinations!! These sound totally wonderful!

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  7. Thank you for your comments everybody! ((hugs))

    I've corrected the link to my recipe blog ~ Oops!

    Have a great day!!

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  8. These look delish. Just a little bite would be perfect right about now.
    A trip to Lopez Island sounds perfect for our WhistleStop traveling Tuesdays :-)

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  9. Oh my goodness...these are calling my names....loud and clear! I'm going to make a batch this weekend!

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  10. What a perfect treat for guests over the holidays! Your photos, as usual, are so......... inviting and lovely - makes me feel like I'm sitting down to coffee with you!

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  11. oh, my, I think Hubby would love these. and just so happens I have some espresso powder that I hardly ever use. thanks for the recipe and the link!

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  12. I'll let you know how I like them on Sunday ;)

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Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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