Rich, decadent, and oh so easy truffle bars are the way to have a truffle-like dessert without all the work. Make them with or without espresso powder –your choice. For other great cookie recipes, check out the Simple Cookie Recipes page.
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Let me say right off the bat that these espresso truffle bars are NOT brownies. Uhn-uhn. No way. They are rich, gooey, chocolaty, and smooth. In other words, more like a truffle. Just a lot easier in a bar form – no need to shape and dip.
With a fudgy base and whipped ganache top, I think you’re going to love these.
MY LATEST VIDEOSI’ve made these to add to holiday goodie bags (along with Moose Munch caramel corn, Caramel Coconut Shortbread Bars, and Whole Grain Cut Out cookies), to take to potlucks, and for a simple yet rich dessert at the end of a dinner like French beef stew for company.
How to Make Truffle Bars – With or Without Espresso Powder
I’m going to start this recipe with a little secret hack I use often that could be considered chocolate heresy. You know how many recipes call for unsweetened melting chocolate? Um, yeah…I hardly ever have that on hand. It’s a lot more expensive than cocoa powder, so it’s simply not a staple of mine.
So here’s my tip – there’s a little equivalent label on the back of cocoa powder boxes that states:
3 tablespoons of cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon of oil = 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate
And that’s what I use for everything that calls for melted unsweetened chocolate. And I do mean everything.
Cakes, brownies, and even frosting. I can’t tell a difference and neither can anyone else. At least if I go only by their reactions (they love everything!). And so I used it in this recipe as well.
The tablespoon measuring “shot glass” pictured above really helps with this substitution, since the recipe uses 7 individual tablespoons of oil using this hack and there’s no cup equivalent. I really love this liquid tablespoon measurer for lots of recipes – I think every kitchen needs one, along with these other baking tools.
It’s a simple step to mix the oil and cocoa powder and once everything is all melted together, no one will be the wiser. Unless they have some sort of mad cocoa powder detection skills.
The oil and cocoa powder blends seamlessly into the truffle bar base, which you make, bake, and cool before adding a topping of whipped ganache.
You can easily make these simply “Truffle Bars” by leaving out the espresso powder that is called for in the base and topping. But even if you think you don’t like coffee, I challenge you to try this recipe with the espresso at least once – that mocha flavor is SO good.
This is the espresso powder I use (espresso powder is a much finer grind than regular coffee, and a darker bean) which can be found here on Amazon as well as most grocery stores.
The chocolate covered coffee beans are also an optional addition – but what a fun way to finish off the tops of each small bar when giving away? Oh, by the way, I just covered some coffee beans we had with dark chocolate chips that I melted – no need to buy some. Unless you want to, that is!
Just writing this is making my mouth water – what about you?
Click the arrow for the full recipe (with print options)!
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These look awesome. I have so many recipes that call for espresso powder; is this literally ground espresso, instant coffee or a product called espresso powder?
The one I find in our stores has an Italian looking label and is called ‘instant espresso coffee.’ It’s darker and a finer grind than instant coffee. Hope you can find something like it, Abby, it really enhances the chocolate flavor!
Pinned this … looks yummy! And thanks for the tip about the cocoa powder … I always have that on hand but usually have to buy the chocolate when called for, so will definitely be using that tip. And that shot glass measuring cup is going on my Christmas wish list … so cool!
First of all, those look AMAZING! Second, thank you for the tip about the chocolate.
Wow! Can’t wait to make these, and the cocoa and oil trick, it is a good one. I hate melting chocolate…….
This one is definitely moving onto the list. YUM!