Those Darn Coffee Crunch Bars.

OK, so you're going to want to pull out a pen and piece of paper, or turn on your printer, or do whatever you do when you don't want to forget something. (If I may be so bold.)

These here are Orangette's Coffee Crunch Bars (and you're not going to want to forget them):This is the second batch I've made...this time from a version a bit different than was printed in Bon Appetit. After a few email exchanges, Molly was sweet enough to share the "real" version as I believe she thinks it is superior. And, well, I must agree. But, when you're talking Coffee and Crunch and Chocolate and Almonds and Cookie Bars....well, you're already ahead of the game in my book anyway.

I seriously can't keep my greedy paws off these. And the note at the bottom of the recipe is true: the flavor is even better the next day. So try to use some restraint. Not that I could. Coffee Crunch Bars

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

8 oz. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup tightly packed light brown sugar

½ cup tightly packed dark muscovado sugar (I used light because that's what I had)

½ tsp. almond extract

2 Tbsp. instant espresso or instant coffee

½ cup sliced almonds

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.In another medium bowl, cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer, beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the almond extract and instant espresso, and beat 1 minute more. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture in three doses, mixing until just absorbed. Stir in the almonds and chocolate chips. The dough will be thick.

Turn the dough out onto an ungreased (approximately 12" x 17") rimmed baking sheet. Using your hands, press the dough evenly into a 12" by 12" square.Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are browned and the top looks set. Cool in the pan for 1 minute; then, while still hot, cut into 24 (2" by 3") bars. Transfer immediately to wire rack to cool completely. Bars will crisp as they cool.

Note: Bars will keep, sealed in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 5 days. Their flavor improves with time.

Yield: 24 bars

p.s. These taste divine, obviously, with a coffee, but I like to have a couple with a glass of icy-cold lemonade. Mmmmmmmm.