Sundays Are For Girl Talk
September 11| posted in - cocktails, delectables, entertaining inspiration, food and drinks
The 2009 NFL Regular Season kickoff game was last night and I realized once again I have official lost Sunday afternoons with my fiancé until the Superbowl Sunday. Well that got me thinking of all the COOL things I can do with the girlfriends on Sundays.
This Sunday I thought it would be nice to gather the girls together for an afternoon of pastries, cocktails and girl talk. Chambord’s delish Bon Bon cocktail is perfect for an afternoon filled with girl talk and Chocolate Espresso Bars.
So set up this Sunday away from the Football Fan Fare and dish the dirt with the girls.
For the recipes
Chambord Bon Bon
Glass: Martini
Ingredients
1 part Canadian Whisky
1 part coffee liqueur
1 part Chambord
1 part half and half
Preparation
Add ingredients to blender. Add ice to top level of fluid. Blend until smooth
Source: Chambord
Chocolate Espresso Bars
Makes 16 bars
Ingredients
cocoa powder
3 Tbs. instant espresso powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 eggs
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
For the glaze:
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. instant espresso powder
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
Pinch of salt
16 chocolate-covered espresso beans (optional)
Preparation
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder and salt into a bowl; set aside.
In a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the butter and chocolate and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until blended. Gradually stir in the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the vanilla, then add the flour mixture and stir until blended.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is springy to the touch, about 25 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool.
Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream and espresso powder and heat, stirring, just until the powder is dissolved and bubbles start to appear around the pan edges. Add the chocolate and salt, remove from the heat and stir just until the chocolate is melted. Let cool to room temperature.
Using a small offset spatula, spread the cooled glaze over the cookie in a thin layer. Refrigerate until the glaze is set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 1 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch bars or 2-inch squares. Top each bar with a chocolate-covered espresso bean.
Source: Williams-Sonoma
