Maple Pecan Cookies

This was one of those weeks where I rediscovered or rather found a few things I had completely forgotten about, couldn't for the life of me remember where I stored them, or put on a to do list that never got done. From a pewter platter, to an antique bread trencher, to a fancy pumpkin carving kit bought at Williams-Sonoma a very long time ago, to a much beloved cookie recipe, the joy I felt in finding each of these things was indescribable. Add feeling the reassurance of knowing I really hadn't lost my mind and it all felt downright euphoric. Going on a treasure hunt in one's own home turned out to be one of the highlights of the week (tells you something about how exciting my life is!). Especially due to the fact the hunt turned out to be a successful one (even with a few short moments of madness strewn in). 

After more than seven years of sharing recipes on the blog, I cannot believe I have never shared the one for these Maple Pecan Cookies with you. It is the absolutely the best fall cookie! But it's longevity extends well past November as it definitely should be going into your holiday cookie boxes (especially because holiday cookie baking is not cancelled this year). With flavors of pure maple syrup, toasted pecans, butter, and white chocolate combined with a melt in your mouth, shortbread like texture, there is so much to love about this cookie. If ever there was a cookie I could gush on endlessly it would be this one. I am not exaggerating when I tell you these are not only the best fall cookies, but they are the BEST Maple Pecan Cookies! The white chocolate top might guarantee their place into the elusive kingdom of best ever cookies, however, they are worthy of such distinction whether eaten plain or with a dusting of confectionary sugar. 

The benefit of holding onto a recipe for years is that you end up making subtle changes to it. Which is exactly what I did with these Maple Pecan Cookies. When I first made this recipe eons ago I didn't know how significant toasting nuts before putting them into a batter alters the cookie's flavor. Now I would never make a cookie containing pecans or walnuts without first toasting them. If a recipe didn't include (Kosher) salt, I didn't add it. But now I do. If there wasn't any vanilla in the list of ingredients, I thought there must be a reason why it was omitted. However, over time I have learned some kinds of cookies, especially shortbread or shortbread-like cookies, greatly benefit from the addition of vanilla. And lastly if the recipe didn't recommend a dusting of confectionary sugar, an icing finish, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate, I too served them 'plain'. As much as I often love a cookie in its' simplest form (aka plain), some finishing touches completely transform the flavor and texture of a cookie. What I am saying here is this recipe for Maple Pecan Cookies is substantially different than the ones I first made. This version isn't just different it is significantly better. So much better that I will go on record and say they are a thrown down worthy kind of cookie.

The key to the maple flavor in these cookies is the use of pure maple syrup. It doesn't matter if you use a Grade A or Grade B syrup. But never swap out pancake syrup for maple syrup. They are two completely different things. 

Using a standing mixer with a paddle attachment definitely makes forming the dough much easier. Like some other rolled and cut out cookies, this dough benefits from a short period of rest and refrigeration. Twenty to thirty minutes of chilling time is really all this dough needs. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface (along with very lightly dusting the top of the dough as well as the rolling pin) to a thickness of 1/4" before cutting into your desired shapes. I used a leaf cookie cutter, but they would be equally beautiful cut into acorn or pumpkin shapes if you were going for a fall inspired look. But even a round cookie cutter with a fluted edge would make for an eye catching cookie. Already I am thinking they will be round shaped for the winter holidays and heart shaped for Valentine's Day.

Originally I baked these cookies for 22-25 minutes at 325 degrees (F). But in updating the recipe I baked them at 350 degrees (F) for 18-20 minutes. The slight increase in temperature and decrease in baking time resulted in the most beautiful golden cookie. Note: The key to determining their doneness is a golden brown bottom and golden edges.

Dip and/or drizzle the Maple Pecan Cookies in melted white chocolate after the cookies have completely cooled. To get a leaf vein look down the center of the cookie, place them face down in the melted chocolate and then lift them up and hold them upright. 

Like most shortbread cookies these have a pretty long shelf life if stored in a sealed container. Additionally, their flavor is as good on the first day as it is on the second, fifth, and even seventh day. Which makes them a great cookie to ship to friends. 

The maple flavor in these cookies isn't overwhelming. It's more like a subtle with a discernible presence kind of flavor. They are a buttery, melt in your mouth kind of cookie. Yet, they have a great texture. Honestly it is hard to eat only one of these cookies. For those of you with having great restraint, these Maple Pecan Cookies will challenge your resolve. 

Finding or rediscovering things (or even people) you thought may have lost comes with an incredible number of rewards. Including, but not limited to, appreciating it (or them) more the second time around. It's possible I may not have adequately sung the praises of this Maple Pecan Cookie if I had shared it with you years earlier. And it's possible you may not have been wowed by the cookie in its' original form. So any guilt I may have had for holding out on you, has been completely replaced by a true sense of joy in being able to share this recipe with you now.

Recipe
Maple Pecan Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies (less if made larger, more if made smaller)

Ingredients

4 1/2 ounces (128g) pecan halves, toasted, and coarsely chopped

1 cup (8 ounces/226g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

2 Tablespoons (40g) pure maple syrup

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

10 ounces (284g) white chocolate, melted

Optional: Confectionary sugar for dusting (if not dipping in or drizzling with white chocolate)

Directions

1. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until pale and creamy (approximately 3 minutes).

2. Gradually beat in granulated sugar until well blended.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, maple syrup, and vanilla. With mixer on low speed, drizzle this mixture into the butter/sugar mixture until incorporated.

4. Whisk the salt and flour together.

5. With mixture on low speed, add the flour and chopped pecans. Mix only until flour is incorporated and dough begins to form (do not over beat).

6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Chill for 20-30 minutes.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line two baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.

8. On a floured surface, roll out half of the dough to 1/4" thickness. Cut dough into desired shapes.

9. Transfer cut out shapes onto the baking sheets. Bake each sheet for 18-20 minutes (rotating the baking sheet midway through) or until golden brown on the edges and bottom of the cookies. Note: Baking time should be adjusted upward for larger cookies and downward for smaller cookies.

10. Let cookies rest on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Allow cookies to cool completely.

11. Dip or drizzle cooled cookies in melted white chocolate. Let cookies completely set before serving or storing. Alternately lightly dust the cookies with confectionary sugar.

12. Store cookies in a tightly sealed container. They will keep for at least a week. 

Notes: (1) Using a European or European style butter further deepens the buttery flavor of these cookies. (2) I used Ghirardelli White Vanilla Flavored Melting Wafters. But if you can find white chocolate discs, use them. (3) Toast your pecan halves on a flat baking sheet in a preheated 350 degree (F) oven for 9-10 minutes.

Paintings of Claude Monet, Monet Exhibit, Art Institute of Chicago (September 2020)

Black Mission Fig Jam

Most of us have a long list of favorite foods, a short list foods of least favorite foods, and an even shorter list of foods we just won't eat. There are a number of factors affecting our taste perceptions, including but not limited to, early exposure, cultural background, texture, preparation, and mental memories. The good news is that for many of us our taste perceptions change over time. Our list of favorites and non-favorites is somewhat fluid. The not so good news is our mental memories can make it almost impossible for some of us to turn a will not eat food into a will eat one. But then there are those foods we love but refuse to eat depending o it's preparation. Texture and flavor in a raw versus prepared form is sometimes so different we can't bring ourselves to eat them in one form or the other. For me I love bananas, but I am not a big fan of banana pudding (although that could change). I love coleslaw made with raw cabbage, but would take a hard pass on cooked cabbage (it goes back to a dish I was forced to eat in my childhood). Fresh figs are one of those foods many (me included) have a love-hate relationship with. Up until a few years ago I would have refused to eat a fresh honey flavored fig even if I was on the brink of starvation. However, roasted figs served over a bed of homemade ricotta and drizzled with honey or fig jam slathered on a cracker with cheese have me singing a completely different tune. I could easily hoard jars of fig jam. Especially if they tasted anything like the jar of this Black Mission Fig Jam. 

So whether you are or aren't on team fresh figs, this sweet with a slightly chunky consistency Black Mission Fig Jam will either send you to fig heaven or make you a fig convert! You really do need to try it at least once!

Placing a bowl of Black Mission Fig Jam on a charcuterie platter elevates it to a game-changing level. Serving it with grilled bread with freshly whipped ricotta and honeycomb makes for an impressive appetizer. Spreading it on a toasted English Muffin or piece of toast turns an ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary one. Who knew fig jam could be used so many different ways?

Fig season happens twice a year. In early summer and in early fall. The fall figs have a slightly thicker skin and more concentrated sweetness. Black Mission Figs have a deep purple, almost black color to them. Not only are they incredibly moist and full of flavor, they are the ones most commonly dried. Because fresh figs have a relatively short shelf life, turning them into a jam enables you to enjoy them for weeks. Or even up to a year if you use a hot water bath canning process and store it in a cool dark place.

Using honey in addition to granulated sugar gives the finished jam a much deeper flavor. Lemon juice and strips of lemon zest bring the right amount of acidity and tartness to the jam. While the vanilla adds another dimension of flavor. But the real star of the jam are the Black Mission figs themselves.

Cooking time for the jam is approximately 50-55 minutes or until the mixture has a jam like quality (or until it reaches a temperature ranging between 210-215 degrees F). After the mixture first comes to a boil over medium high heat, the heat level is reduced to medium low. Stirring the jam frequently during the cooking process helps to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

While I am calling this a Black Mission Fig Jam, it has more of a preserve kind of consistency. Processing the cooked fig mixture in a food processor gives it that perfect textured, slightly chunky consistency. 

Some of my favorite cheeses to serve with this Black Mission Fig Jam are a triple creme Brie, an unexpected cheddar (from Trader Joe's), goat cheese, Blue Cheese, and/or a homemade whipped ricotta.

With figs now in season, it's the perfect time to make a batch of this Black Mission Fig Jam. If you were looking for reasons to put together a charcuterie board, this jam would be one of them. With Thanksgiving soon approaching, this sweet fig jam would be a perfect start to the holiday meal. For those of you who like to can jams in jars, this would make for great hostess or Christmas gifts. I promise this Black Mission Fig Jam is so much better than almost anything you can buy at the store. And who knows, one taste of this jam could turn you into a fig lover. Or at least a fig jam lover.

Recipe
Black Mission Fig Jam

Ingredients

1 pound (454g) fresh Black Mission Figs, stems removed and quartered

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup water

1 large lemon, zested strips of the rind removed with a peeler (be careful not to include the white pith of the lemon when zesting)

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (a half of a lemon should provide you with this amount)

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Serve with an assortment of cheeses, crackers, nuts, and fruits. 

Directions
1. Place all of the ingredients, except the vanilla, in a medium-sized heavy bottomed saucepan (a cast iron one if you have one). Stir to combine.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently.

3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking the jam (stirring frequently to prevent sticking) for approximately 50 minutes or until the mixture reaches 210 to 215 degrees (F). Note: The mixture should have a thick, jam-like consistency.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

5. Remove the strips of lemon rind.

6. Transfer the jam mixture to a small food processor. Pulse until the skins of the figs have broken down. 

7. Transfer the jam to a clean, sterilized 10 ounce jar (or divide between two smaller jars). Let cool before topping with the lid and transferring to the refrigerator.

8. The fig jam will be good for up to 45-90 days stored in the refrigerator. Alternately the fig jam can be canned in glass jars using a water bath method.

Notes: (1) If you plan on canning the Black Mission Fig Jam in glass jars, I would suggest you at least double or quadruple the recipe. Processing time for the jam in a water bath after the sterilization process is 10 minutes. (2) Highly, highly recommend serving the jam with this Whipped Honey Ricotta. 

Mills Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado (September 2020)

Autumnal Harvest Salad w/ Honey Cider Vinaigrette

There are many who believe and some who have actually proved we are more likely to remember the first and last things we see, hear, and taste. While everything in the middle gets a little blurred or quite possibly a little lost in our memories. In other words, the position of presentation matters. Research on primacy (things presented first) and recency (things presented last) effects goes back almost a century. Yet in spite of this, we all don't often or even consistently apply any of this scientific knowledge when planning a dinner menu. We are more likely to begin by planning the main course and building the rest the meal around it. But maybe the main course isn't as important to the satisfaction, enjoyment, and memory of a meal isn't as important as we might want to believe (or at least have convinced ourselves to believe). Apart from Thanksgiving or Christmas meals where the main course is usually a known given (unless someone decides to drastically change things up one year), the beginning and end of a meal probably deserves to be getting more of our attention. When you think about it, determining the salad (first course) and dessert (last course) really does makes great sense. Especially when we want the experience of eating at our tables to be memorable. Because really, who doesn't want that? 

This Autumnal Harvest Salad w/ Honey Cider Vinaigrette, one having an explosion of flavors and a stunning visual presentation, is one of those salads destined to be remembered long after your guests leave the table and return home. Designed to showcase some of the best of the fall's fruit and vegetables, I will go out on a (short) proverbial limb and say it might just be one of the best seasonal, most impressive salads to ever grace your table. From the roasted butternut squash to the thinly sliced Honey Crisp apples to the fresh figs to the red onion, this salad has a depth of savoriness designed to send your palate into a state of salad ecstasy. When dressed with the slightly bold and zesty Honey Cider Vinaigrette, the overall flavor profile of the salad is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Candied pecans, roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and goat cheese add texture, crunch, and a little tartness to this savory salad. Not only do each of the components in the salad compliment one another, they make each bite of the salad unforgettable. 

As much as I love each element of the salad itself, I could gush over the flavor of this Honey Cider Vinaigrette for days. Slightly sweet and little bit tangy it dresses a salad made with fall fruits and vegetables beautifully. The vinaigrette is one that doesn't overwhelm the salad or detract from all of it's elements. Instead it manages to further elevate each of them. This would be THE vinaigrette to use on all of your autumnal salads, especially ones made with apples! Note: The recipe below makes more than you need to make the salad. 

With hints of maple syrup and olive oil, the flavor of butternut squash becomes further enhanced during the the roasting process. Baking the squash at 400 degrees (F) for 24-26 minutes (or until tender), brings out its' nuttiness and sweetness, while also changing its' texture from firm to crispy/creamy. These delectable morsels are almost addictive in of themselves. While the roasted butternut squash might get lost in our memories if served in the middle (as a side course), it is unforgettable as a first course.

There are candied pecans in this salad. The good news is that you don't have to make them yourself. The ones I used were from Trader Joe's (and they are really, really good). And if you can't find roasted and salted pumpkin seeds use pepitas. But you definitely want both the pecans and pumpkin seeds in your salad. Not everyone is a fan of goat cheese (so hard to believe, but it's true), so feel free to use feta or gorgonzola cheese instead. Honey Crisp apples have the perfect tart-sweet balance and are so perfect in this salad I can't bring myself to recommending an alternative.

For purposes of the most impressive, permanently etched in your memory presentation, wait until you bring the Autumnal Harvest Salad w/ Honey Cider Vinaigrette to the table before tossing it. There is something to be said for seeing each of the components of the salad first, before discovering them in the tossed heap on your plate.

If you plan on serving this salad to at least six people, I suggest ever so lightly tossing the spring greens in some of the dressing before placing all of the salad's other elements on top. Right before tossing it all together, I would drizzle a little more of the dressing over the salad. Because everyone likes their salad dressed with a vinaigrette differently, serve the remaining vinaigrette on the side.

Feel free to increase or decrease the amounts of the salad ingredients based on the number of people you are serving. If you don't dress the salad with any dressing at all before plating and tossing, any leftovers will last a little longer in the refrigerator. As the dressing will wilt the delicate spring greens when it's refrigerated.

The Autumnal Harvest Salad w/ Honey Cider Vinaigrette showcases autumn's bounty in the most spectacular way. From the first sight to the first bite, everything about this salad is noteworthy. Quite possibly it may overshadow your main course. But not to worry because everyone is then likely to remember the last course. Especially if it's something equally beautiful and delicious. 

So head out to the Farmer's Market, grocery store or orchards this week and pick up some butternut squash, honey crisp apples, and figs. Honestly, one bite of this seasonal salad and I am certain it will be the one you will be making regularly in the months ahead. It may even become your signature fall salad. Because if we really do believe in the power of first impressions or sequencing, don't we all want to serve our family/friends a first course having the power to leave a long lasting impression of deliciousness?

Recipe

Autumnal Harvest Salad w/ Honey Cider Vinaigrette

Serves 6 

Ingredients 

Honey Cider Vinaigrette

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup apple cider 

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

3/8 to 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Autumnal Harvest Salad

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch dice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

5 to 6 ounces (142g-170g) Mixed Spring Greens

1 large Honey Crisp Apple, cut into thin slices

1 small red onion, cut into very thin slices

1/2 cup (2 1/3 ounces/60g) roasted and salted pumpkin seeds

3/4 cup (3 ounces/86g) candied pecans

1/2 cup (2 1/4 ounces/64g) dried cranberries

4 ounces (113g) goat cheese, crumbled 

7-8 fresh figs, cut in half

Kosher salt and black pepper for finishing

Directions

Honey Cider Vinaigrette

1. Whisk together the honey, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, Kosher salt and pepper.

2. Slowly add in the olive until the mixture is emulsified. Alternately pour entire mixture into a small food processor and process until the vinaigrette has a creamy, light in color consistency.

Autumnal Harvest Salad

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). 

2. Place diced butternut squash on the baking sheet. Pour the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup over the squash. Toss to mix so the squash is completely coated. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

3. Roast squash for 24-26 minutes, turning once midway through the baking process, until tender. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Or cool to room temperature. Roasted Butternut squash can be made several hours in advance of assembling and serving the salad.

4. Spread spring greens out on a large platter. Lightly salt and very lightly drizzle with some of the Honey Cider Vinaigrette.

5. Top with the remaining ingredients (except figs). Very lightly drizzle with some of the Honey Cider Vinaigrette.

6. Toss together. Arrange fig halves on the platter. Serve with remaining vinaigrette. Alternately toss the salad without drizzling some of the Honey Cider Vinaigrette and serve the vinaigrette on the side.

Notes: (1) To serve 8-10 increase the amount of the ingredients except the butternut squash (you will have enough) and the vinaigrette (you will have enough of this too). Alternately to serve 2-4, decrease the ingredients as well but try keeping the proportions when making reductions. (2) You can make your own candied pecans or you can buy them pre-made at Trader Joe's. (3) In lieu of goat cheese, you could alway use a good quality fresh feta cheese or even gorgonzola. (4) If you are looking another butternut squash salad, try the Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette. But consider using the Honey Cider Vinaigrette instead.

Grazing Elk, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado (September 2020)

Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars

After more than six months of being "homebound" (relatively speaking), I thought a change in scenery would energize my spirit as well as bring some much needed euphoric joy to my heart. A trip away to one of my happy places was something I wanted, needed to do.  And what better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than to spend almost a week hiking in the mountains of Colorado. Like my first trip there twenty years ago, this one too would be solo as time spent alone is restorative on so many different levels for me. One of the many lessons learned all those years ago was that being alone in nature was my favorite, best form of therapy. Being able to test my resilience, to push myself to take on physical challenges, to confront (and overcome) my fears on difficult trails, to reflect on all that matters, and to take in the wondrous beauty of the outdoors are just some of the benefits I get from my solo adventures. And everyone else in my life gets a much happier, definitely better, more energized version of me when I return. A kind of win-win you might say. No longer do I explain or defend to others why I love, why I need these solitary adventures as I have learned over the years it's relatively simple to explain but can be hard for some to understand. Especially in the year of a pandemic when many of us (including me) have experienced so much social isolation.  Going out west to see both new and familiar landscapes during my birthday week this year had to be the best gift I have ever given myself. I can say with a fair amount of confidence this trip will turn out to be exactly what my spirit needs to help me get through the next six months of living in a pandemic. 

For almost a week I lived in a small house at the base of the Flatirons in Boulder. In spite of having a full kitchen and making a trip to the grocery store on the day I arrived, I never cooked. Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches, bananas, amazing local peaches, homemade nutty granola with dried cherries and cranberries, some microwave popcorn, and Zone Bars pretty much summed up my diet for the first three days of the trip. If it weren't for the takeout cheeseburger I devoured after five hours of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, the lobster roll savored outdoors at a favorite restaurant on Pearl Street in Boulder, the most sumptuous homemade meal made by dear friends, a slice of Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake (my birthday cake) from an incredible chocolate store in Boulder, or the turkey/bacon/brie sandwich relished at the Denver Botanic Garden, it would have been a very uneventful week of eating for someone who considers themselves a bit of a foodie. As much as I loved the short respite from cooking and baking, I never stopped thinking about the things I wanted to make when I returned home. First up would be these Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars. 

For those of you who have never had a Chocolate Revel Bar before you might be wondering what they are. These Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars are chocolate ganache filled nutty oatmeal cookie bars. Or as I like to refer to them as the Oatmeal Bar version of the Sluttiest Brownies. In other words they are richly decadent. There are two theories regarding their origin. One claims a woman by the name of Tracy Revel who lived in the Sacramento (CA) area made them for her co-workers in the late 90s. The other possibly more plausible origin credit goes to a recipe printed in the 1968 edition of the Better Homes and Garden magazine. Regardless who or where they were first created, 2020 should be the year the Revel Bars make a resurgence. 

Traditionally Revel Bars have a fudgy, truffle like chocolate center. One made with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. But these bars are made with an ambrosial, be still my heart espresso infused ganache center. The chocolate ganache and the deeply flavored dark brown sugar, nutty oatmeal cookie layers combine to make the most luscious confection. 

Once the dough is made it is divided into 2/3 and 1/3 portions. The toasted coarsely chopped walnuts and chocolate chips are added to the larger portion. The chocolate chip/nut oatmeal dough is then pressed into the bottom of a parchment paper lined 9" x 13" pan. 

The espresso infused ganache is then poured and spread evenly over the base cookie layer. After being lightly sprinkled with flaky sea salt, the remaining dough is used to create to the top layer.

Instead of dropping tablespoonfuls of the dough on top of the ganache, I placed slightly flattened pieces of the dough randomly (but not overlappingly) on top of the ganache. One more light sprinkling of flaky sea salt and they were ready to go into a preheated 350 degrees (F) oven. 

Baking time ranges between 35 and 40 minutes or until the bars are golden and slightly pull away from the sides of the pan. After removing the baked bars from the oven, leave them to cool to room temperature in the pan. Waiting for them to cool is the biggest challenge to making them. Resisting having more than one is the second biggest challenge!

As soon as the pan has cooled to room temperature, they are cut into bars. However, if you let them chill in the refrigerator for several hours your cuts will be much cleaner. Note: The photos here show unchilled cuts bars. 

This may now be my new favorite way to satisfy my craving for an oatmeal cookie. The Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars are insanely, drop the mic delicious. With a chewy, crunchy, and hearty texture these bars have something for everyone. And that middle ganache layer, well it will send chocolate lovers over the edge. If only I had these bars with me on my trip who knows how many more miles I could have hiked. Who knows how much longer I would have stayed.

Recipe

Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars (inspired by Shauna Server's Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars in her cookbook "Midwest Made: Big, Bold Baking from the Heartland")

Makes 20 generous sized bars or 32 more balanced sized bars

Ingredients

Ganache

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup (50g) caster (or confectionary sugar)

3/4 teaspoon instant espresso or espresso powder

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 cup (170g) semisweet or dark chocolate (53% cocao) chocolate chips

Revel Bars

3 cups (300g) old-fashioned oatmeal (not quick oats)

1 3/4 cups (225g) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups (400g) dark brown sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 large eggs

1/2 cup (85g) semisweet or dark chocolate (53% cocao) chocolate chips or. an equal amount of chopped chocolate

1/2 cup (65g) walnut halves, toasted and coarsely chopped

Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on ganache layer and top layer

Directions

Ganache

1. In a small saucepan, add in the whipping cream, caster sugar, instant espresso and Kosher salt. Over medium heat, cook until the mixture has reached a simmer and is bubbling along the edges. 

2. Remove from the heat and add in the chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minutes.

3. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool. 

Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oatmeal, baking soda and kosher salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium-high speed for approximately one minute or until light and creamy.

4. Add in the brown sugar and beat at medium-high speed for about one minute or until the mixture is slightly lightened in color.

5. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing at medium speed until fully combined.

6. Add in vanilla and mix until incorporated.

7. Reduce the speed to low and add in the dry ingredients. Mix until combined.

8. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Transfer approximately 1/3 of the dough to another bowl and set aside. Note: Weighing the mixture enables you to more evenly divide the dough.

9. To the bowl with 2/3 of the dough mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts using a spatula or wooden spoon.

10. Press the chocolate chip/walnut dough into the prepared pan. Press the mixture into an even flat layer but press mixture up slightly along the sides so there is a bit of an elevated edge.

11. Pour the ganache over the dough. Spread with an offset spatula to smooth out evenly. Lightly sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

12. Using your hands, take tablespoons of the remaining dough, lightly press down then place randomly (but not overlapping) on top of the ganache. Lightly sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

13. Place baking pan on a large baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top of bars are golden and begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. Note: My baking time was 37 minutes.

14. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack. Allow bars to remain to remain in the pan until they have cooled completely.

15. Remove the cooled bars from the pan. Cut into 20 squares. Note: Can refrigerate the bars for several hours. in order to have cleaner cuts. 

16. Serve and enjoy.

17. Stored in a tightly covered container the Chocolate Espresso Revel Bars will be good for at least 3 days, if they last that long.

Notes: (1) To toast walnuts, preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Spread walnut halves out on a baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Remove from pan, let cool, then coarsely chop. (2) I used these Dark Chocolate Morsels from Nestle. But if I were to do one thing differently next time, I would chop up chocolate instead of using chips.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado (September 2020)