Page 1 of 1

RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:37 pm
by Cynthia Wenslow
A cooking pal from my e-mail discussion list posted this. It combines two of my favorite things.... chocolate and chile! This is getting made for the holidays.



A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)
Recipe By: Ellen Smyth

2 stick unsalted butter
3 1 ounce squares Baker's semisweet chocolate -- chopped
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoon creme de cacao
1 tablespoon coffee liqueur
1 tablespoon Nescafe powdered Coffee Classico
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
½ teaspoon powdered pasilla molido (dry poblano chile powder) or -- Gebhardt chili powder
2 eggs
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
½ cup flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
Glaze (recipe follows)
1/2 cup chocolate nibs (see note)


Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with
nonstick cooking spray. Place a 14x8-inch piece of heavy-duty foil in
bottom of pan, smoothing up the 2 sides and down the outside. Spray
the foil. Set aside.

Melt the butter and chocolate in a large mixing bowl. To do this in
the microwave, heat at Medium (50 percent power) for 1 minute; check,
then heat for 30 seconds at a time until chocolate is melted. Cool and
add sugar. Beat well. Stir in vanilla, liqueurs, powdered coffee,
cinnamon, pepper and chile powder. Add the eggs and beat well. Stir in
nuts. Combine flour and cocoa; gently but thoroughly beat into egg
mixture. Pour in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until sides pull
away but center is soft.

When cool, remove from pan. Chill in refrigerator. Prepare glaze.
Spread over bars. Sprinkle nibs on top. Chill again before cutting.
Makes 18 bars.

Glaze: Melt 1/3 cup unsalted butter with 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
morsels. Stir until smooth.

Note: Chocolate nibs are roasted cocoa kernels. Look for them at
gourmet shops. Scharffen Berger is one brand.

Published in The Dallas Morning News on 2004-12-11

First place, Bar Cookie, 2004 Holiday Cookie Contest

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:56 pm
by TraciM
OMG....yum!!!! Perfect timing, too. I'll make them for a party this weekend.

I LOVE COOKIES!!

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:14 am
by TraciM
Quick question....

Something funky is coming up on the measurements for the peacns and cocoa nibs. Can you clarify? I'm thinking 1 cup of each?

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:22 am
by Barb Freda
I get the same odd charachters, Traci--but you could probably eyeball the quantity you like--Neither should affect the baking (not liquid and it's not something that absorbs liquid).

I am SO making these. I love bar cookies and love the combos in this one in particular...

Thanks for sharing,Cynthia!

B

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:03 am
by Cynthia Wenslow
Sorry! I didn't see it got weird when I pasted it in. Corrected now.

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:20 pm
by Robert J.
I love love love chocolate with chile. There is a restaurant here in ATX that makes a chocolate/ancho fudge pie that is pretty tasty.

These cookies are going on my to-do list.

rwj

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:06 pm
by Jenise
Cynthia, I love what's in these cookies. And even if I didn't, I love the name. Not much of a baker, but this could move me out of my usual baking doldrum.

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:53 pm
by TraciM
Robert---what restaurant in Austin? I'm headed home ( I grew up in Austin) next Saturday.

Traci

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:48 pm
by Robert J.
TraciM wrote:Robert---what restaurant in Austin? I'm headed home ( I grew up in Austin) next Saturday.

Traci


Z Tejas. They have some pretty good food and the owner is one of the nicest fellas you could ever meet. They have a location on 6th Street near Lamar and another one up in the Arboretum area.

rwj

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:53 pm
by TraciM
Z Tejas. They have some pretty good food and the owner is one of the nicest fellas you could ever meet. They have a location on 6th Street near Lamar and another one up in the Arboretum area.

rwj


I've always loved Z Tejas, Robert. I don't seem to get there much when I'm home, though. First stop is Chuy's for my Tex-Mex fix. Then, it's my mom's cooking. I'm planning on getting plenty of both this weekend. However, I have a first-timer-to-Austin in town with me for this trip. I'll have to play tourist with him.

Do you cook anywhere?

Traci

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:03 am
by Karen/NoCA
I've never seen Chocolate nibs, but then I do not bake much. What might be a substitute?

Re: RCP: A Quiet Little Mexican Bar (Cookie)

PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:07 am
by Cynthia Wenslow
Karen, I think they could easily be left off. I can't think of anything that would be a good sub.