• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookin Canuck
  • Recipe Index
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Cooking 101
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Quick&Easy
  • Instant Pot
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Quick&Easy
    • Instant Pot
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars

    White Chocolate Chip Bar Recipe with Brown Butter & Espresso

    Published: Mar 12, 2012 · Modified: Jun 21, 2019 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 36 Comments

    52Shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This chocolate chip bar recipe is a long time favorite with our family. It's made even better with the addition of brown butter and espresso.
    This chocolate chip bar recipe is a long time favorite with our family. It's made even better with the addition of brown butter and espresso.

    As I was browning the butter and pulling out the sugar and white chocolate chips for this bar recipe, I realized that desserts have been in short supply here since I adopted a healthier eating lifestyle. Looking back, I see that there is only one dessert recipe posted here since the new year (Puff Pastry "Ravioli" with Gingersnap Mascarpone & Marionberry Sauce). Horrors! Truth be told, I have snacked on cookies here and there - after all, that's what moderation is all about, right? - but usually I have quelled any sugar cravings with sweet herbal tea or fruit, such as this Pink Grapefruit & Orange Compote with Ginger Yogurt.

    This bar recipe is based off of a cookie recipe that my dad makes...one of my all-time favorite cookies, to be sure. I couldn't find the exact recipe, so I winged it a little and took some liberties, such as browning the butter. If you have never been treated to brown butter, rest assured that the few extra minutes required to turn the butter from a creamy yellow liquid to a nutty brown elixir of the gods is well worth it. It works beautifully as a simple sauce for gnocchi (particularly when combined with fresh sage) and takes your favorite baked goods from really good to divine.

    WhiteChocEspressoBars5

    When mixed with white chocolate chips, espresso powder and ground cinnamon, the brown butter and sugar mixture turns into a chewy bar studded with rich flavors. Remember that moderation thing I was talking about? Well, that becomes a tad bit challenging when these bars sing their siren's song. I recommend giving some away to the neighbors and freezing the extras for future bouts of "moderate eating".

    (Reminder: Don't forget to enter the OXO giveaway on this post. Entries close on Tuesday, March 13 at 5pm PST.)

    The recipe:
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, with parchment paper edges hanging over the side.

    Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter turns golden brown. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.

    WhiteChocEspressoBars1

    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

    In a small bowl, combine eggs, espresso powder and vanilla extract. Whisk until espresso powder is dissolved. Set aside.

    WhiteChocEspressoBars2

    In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer), combine brown sugar, granulated sugar and cooled brown butter. Beat on medium speed until well-combined, about 3 minutes.

    Add the egg mixture and beat again, about 30 seconds.

    With the mixer set to low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides as necessary and beat just until the flour is combined.

    WhiteChocEspressoBars3

    Remove the bowl from mixer and stir in the white chocolate chips. Gently press the mixture into the pan until even.

    Bake until the top is medium golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

    Holding the parchment paper flaps, lift the bars out of the pan and let cool completely. Cut into bars and serve.

    WhiteChocEspressoBars4

    Other desserts with brown butter:
    Cookin' Canuck's Brown Butter & Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
    Cookin' Canuck's Brown Butter, Pine Nut & Rosemary Cookies
    Recipe Girl's Strawberry & Brown Butter Shortcake
    Barbara Bakes' Apple Blueberry Brown Butter Bliss
    101 Cookbooks' Brown Butter Spice Cake

    White Chocolate Chip Bars with Brown Butter & Espresso

    This chocolate chip bar recipe is a long time favorite with our family. It's made even better with the addition of brown butter and espresso.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Desserts
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Cookies and Bars
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Cooling Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 36 Bars (Approximately)
    Calories: 145kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 cups plus 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon espresso powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ cups good-quality white chocolate chips
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, with parchment paper edges hanging over the side.
    • Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the butter turns golden brown. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, combine eggs, espresso powder and vanilla extract. Whisk until espresso powder is dissolved. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer), combine brown sugar, granulated sugar and cooled brown butter. Beat on medium speed until well-combined, about 3 minutes.
    • Add the egg mixture and beat again, about 30 seconds.
    • With the mixer set to low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides as necessary and beat just until the flour is combined.
    • Remove the bowl from mixer and stir in the white chocolate chips.
    • Gently press the mixture into the pan until even.
    • Bake until the top is medium golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
    • Holding the parchment paper flaps, lift the bars out of the pan and let cool completely.
    • Cut into bars and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Bar | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Signature

    52Shares
    « Pink Grapefruit & Orange Compote with Ginger Yogurt Recipe
    Portion Control for Weight Loss & Healthy Living »

    Want more easy, healthy recipes?

    Subscribe to get the recipes sent straight to your inbox.

      We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Leslie

        April 02, 2012 at 6:01 pm

        I made these yesterday and took them to work this morning. They were completely gone in just under two hours! Thank you for such a delicious recipe. The flavors together were just terrific.

        Reply
      2. Kevin (Closet Cooking)

        March 25, 2012 at 2:32 am

        Those white chocolate chip bars look really good! I am definitely going to have to try using browned butter in baking.

        Reply
      3. Maureen

        March 20, 2012 at 10:13 am

        I don't cook with white chocolate enough. These look so good.

        Reply
      4. Sara Grace

        March 18, 2012 at 5:08 pm

        mmm... brown butter is one of my weaknesses! these look/sound fantastic
        http://adventuresofdutchandme.blogspot.com/

        Reply
      5. Nicole, RD

        March 16, 2012 at 12:35 pm

        I love the sound of these...and they look like the perfect portion 🙂

        Reply
      6. Katherine Martinelli

        March 15, 2012 at 12:25 pm

        Ooh I love the espresso powder in these!! And the brown butter! Ok, everything 🙂 Yeah, moderation would be hard with these bars.

        Reply
      7. Lora @cakeduchess

        March 15, 2012 at 6:40 am

        Portion control is so important. That photo of the butter is so tempting! Browned butter and espresso together must be wonderful. Great recipe, Dara!:)

        Reply
      8. Becky @ Project Domestication

        March 14, 2012 at 12:37 pm

        My goodness, these look divine. I love browned butter and your flavor combo choice look perfect. I'll have to try this soon.

        Reply
      9. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen

        March 14, 2012 at 1:17 am

        What a winning combination of flavors, browned butter is so good!

        Reply
      10. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious

        March 13, 2012 at 9:41 pm

        I recently went through a huge weight loss journey too about a year ago and I've learned that as long as you portion control and eat things in moderation, you could eat almost anything. Although having to portion control these gorgeous treat does seem like a bit of a struggle!

        Reply
      11. Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels

        March 13, 2012 at 5:10 pm

        Oh how I love white chocolate and espresso! These bars look incredible. 🙂

        Reply
      12. Feast on the Cheap

        March 13, 2012 at 11:58 am

        I love that you browned the butter - these bars look worth every last calorie!

        Reply
      13. Meg @ Sweet Twist

        March 13, 2012 at 8:16 am

        Well I think I love everything in these bars. I will have to make them.

        Reply
      14. Deena @ stay at home FOODIE

        March 12, 2012 at 9:30 pm

        Yum. I love brown butter. I use it in my pumpkin bread. Love the idea of it in a blondie.

        Reply
      15. jenna

        March 12, 2012 at 6:30 pm

        brown buttah and espresso?? youv'e stolen my heart! 🙂 happy monday!

        Reply
      16. Marla

        March 12, 2012 at 4:38 pm

        Oh my do these treats look great! The only question I have is how would one NOT eat the entire pan 😉

        Reply
      « Older Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter
      Photo of Dara Michalski.

      Hi there! Welcome to Cookin' Canuck.

      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

      More about me →

      Popular

      • Strawberry Nice Cream
      • Lemon Orzo Salad
      • Sautéed Corn, Zucchini & Blistered Tomatoes Recipe
      • Grilled Halloumi Cheese Recipe

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Meet Dara
      • Contact
      • Work With Me
      • FAQ
      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Recipes

      • All Recipes
      • Main Dishes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • 30-Minute Meals

      I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

      Copyright © 2022 Cookin' Canuck