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Spice Coffee Bars are soft and crunchy when flavored with candied dates and walnuts. The coffee flavored glaze makes the ultimate combination.

I needed a quick treat to take to a birthday party and I needed to use the ingredients I had on hand. Here is our recipe for “Coffee and Spice and Everything Nice”.

Recipe | About the Coffee in the Coffee Bars

24Bite: Coffee Spice Bars with Dates and Walnuts Recipe by Christian Guzman

Jump to Recipe

These cookie bars have coffee, candied dates and walnuts. Add in three different spices and you’ve got some cookies too good to pass up.

Remember that I like to use ceylon cinnamon instead of the typical cassia. I don’t really like the flavor of cassia. It’s to strong. Ceylon cinnamon is perfect and spicy and a little hot, like red hots: the way cinnamon is supposed to be.

These cookie bars are soft, more like the center of a cookie instead of chewy. The chopped walnuts add a nice crunch.

About the Coffee in the Coffee Bars

For flavoring these delicious cookies, I’ve used cold coffee in the batter as well as coffee extract. In fact, if you want to double up the coffee extract, I won’t judge.

The ultimate coffee experience here is using the coffee in the powdered sugar glaze as well. Next time, I think I might use the coffee extract in that too because coffee cookies are awesome!

Step by Step

You’ll mix the dry ingredients first. If you don’t, you may end up with a bunch of cardamom or allspice in one spot or maybe a super salty cookie bar but no cinnamon in another.

24Bite: Mixing together the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, cream together the softened shortening and brown sugar. It will look a little crumbly. Add the beaten egg.

24Bite: After mixing the butter and brown sugar, add the eggs

Add about one quarter of the flour mixture and blend well.

24Bite: Alternate dry ingredients and liquid when mixing the cookies

Then add about one quarter of the coffee and mix well. Continue a bit at a time, back and forth like this until you’ve used all the flour mixture and coffee.

24Bite: finished cookie batter for spice coffee bars

Fold in the dates and walnuts.

24Bite: fold in the chopped walnuts and dates with the coffee bar batter

I’ve baked this in a ⅔ sheet pan but it will also work in a 9×13 cake pan if you prefer a cake. You would just need to increase the baking time.

24Bite: fully baked spice coffee bars in ⅔ sheet pan

More Cookie Recipes

Don’t you love cookies? I especially love making a pretty cookie display in a clear glass jar. Do you just throw the cookies in the jar or do you stack them nicely? I’m more of a stack them nicely sort of guy.

Browse the Cookie recipes category, or try one of these.

Recipe

Spice Coffee Bars with Dates and Nuts

Coffee and spice and everything nice! Spice Coffee Bars are soft and crunchy when flavored with candied dates and walnuts. The coffee flavored glaze makes the ultimate combination.

Christian Guzman

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Serving Size cookie bars

Ingredients

Cookie Bars

540 grams All Purpose Flour (about 4 ½ cups spoon and fill) *see note
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
½ teaspoon Cardamom ground
½ teaspoon Allspice ground
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Butter softened (2 sticks)
2 cups Brown Sugar packed
2 large Eggs beaten
1 teaspoon Coffee Extract
1 cup Coffee prepared, cold
½ cup Dates candied, pitted, chopped
½ cup Walnuts chopped
Cooking Spray

Glaze

2 cups Powdered Sugar
2-4 tablespoons Coffee prepared

Instructions

Cookie Bars

Preheat oven to 375℉.
In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until well mixed and crumbly.
Add eggs and coffee extract. Mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture and coffee, about one-quarter at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Fold in dates and walnuts.
Spray 15 x 21″ sheet pan with cooking spray. Spread batter evenly in pan.
Bake 17-20 minutes until done. Allow to cool.

Glaze

Place powdered sugar in small bowl. Add cold coffee, one tablespoon at a time. Try to mix it after each addition. Don’t overdo it. It takes a lot less than you would imagine. Continue until the glaze is the consistency you would like.
When the cookie bars are completely cooled, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze randomly over the top. Allow to set before cutting. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts on top, if desired.

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Notes

The batter will be thin when spread on the baking sheet which will produce more of a “cookie bar” height. For more height, use a smaller pan. You could also use two square pans. Adjust the cooking time as necessary until a toothpick comes out clean.

Important: Whenever possible, use a scale for measuring dry ingredients, like flour. This is the more accurate measurement. The scoop and level method of measuring is not accurate because you don’t know how packed your flour has become. If you don’t have a scale, stir the flour lightly then use the spoon and fill method instead. If you use too much flour, your recipe will be too dry and crumbly.

Nutrition Facts

Spice Coffee Bars with Dates and Nuts

Amount Per Serving (0 g)

Calories 137 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Sodium 111mg5%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result. 2019-2026 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. 24Bite®

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