Recipe: Cafe au Lait Squares with Coffee Frosting (oat crust and brownie layer, using Kahlua)

CAFE AU LAIT SQUARES WITH COFFEE FROSTING

FOR THE CRUST:
1 1/4 cups flour, divided use
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 tablespoon instant coffee
FOR THE BROWNIE LAYER:
1/3 cup butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee liqueur
3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Coffee Frosting (recipe follows)
Chocolate covered coffee beans or chopped chocolate chips (optional, for garnish)

TO MAKE THE CRUST:
Combine 1/2 cup flour, oats, brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter and instant coffee granules in a bowl and mix well. Press into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

TO MAKE BROWNIE LAYER:
Combine 1/3 cup butter and chocolate in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until melted, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat. Let stand until cool.

Beat the eggs at medium speed in a mixer bowl until thick and pale yellow. Add 1 cup sugar and Kahlua, beating until blended. Stir in the chocolate mixture, the remaining 3/4 cup flour and walnuts. Spread evenly over the crust.

Bake for 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Spread Coffee Frosting over the cooled brownies. Cover and let stand until the frosting hardens.

Cut into 16 or 32 squares. Garnish with chocolate covered coffee beans or chopped chocolate chips, if desired..

COFFEE FROSTING

1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Kahlua

Beat butter, softened, at medium speed in a mixer bowl until creamy. Add confectioners' sugar and Kahlua gradually, beating constantly until blended.

Makes 16 or 32 squares
Source: Settings on the Dock of the Bay: A Collection of Recipes from Assistance League of the Bay Area, Texas