Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars

These Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars are perfect for any holiday get together!  A chocolate espresso crust is the base for an eggnog filling spiked with Kahlua and nutmeg.  

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Original content posted November 2016.  Updated December 2020.

I’m in absolute denial.  Thanksgiving is over?!  It doesn’t help that Andy was on call over the holiday and we likely saw him less than a handful of waking hours.  Not our best holiday ever but I know that he was needed much more by those that he was helping.  

Hopefully he arrives home at some point today so that we can put up the tree.  The menagerie is chomping at the bit to get it up ASAP!  So I’m leaving turkey day in our dust and throwing my self whole heartedly into all things Christmas.  Including eggnog.  

Forget the store bought stuff, I’m making everything from scratch in these super easy Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars.  The perfect bite size holiday treat!

What Can You Do with Eggnog?

These little squares of heaven are perfect when you need just a bite of something sweet.  But there also equally delicious when you grab three or four as they tend to disappear quite quickly.  You know, either way.  Who am I to judge?  

The chocolatey crust is flavored with cocoa and espresso to form a delicious base for the luscious filling that will go on top.  Not a coffee lover?  Don’t fret, neither am I!  The espresso simply deepens the flavor of the chocolate and makes these Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars even more irresistible!

Eggnog fans, you’ll also want to give my fun Mini Eggnog Funnel Cakes, brunch worthy Candied Pecan Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Eggnog Cream Filling and my decadent Chocolate Cherry Pomegranate Eggnog Cake a try this holiday season.

What Alcohol Goes with Eggnog?

Next up is a custard style filling that is spiked with Kahlua and nutmeg for a bit of a twist on the traditional eggnog flavor.  The filling is so incredibly easy and takes just minutes to come together with help from an electric mixer.  

I was able to prepare everything while listening to the menagerie blast the soundtrack from “Home” – which I’ve come to despise because I’ve heard it so much – and play with their Nana in the playroom.  Somehow these bars made the soundtrack just a bit more bearable.  Likely because I was anxiously awaiting stuffing a bar or two in my mouth to cope.

I would be doing you quite the disservice if I didn’t mention the decadent Gourmet Baking Cocoa included in this recipe.  I’ve mentioned in previous recipes that I only use this cocoa from Rodelle as it’s the best of the best.  

I actually buy it in bulk from Amazon as I go through it so quickly.  This cocoa contains one of the highest levels of cocoa butter on the market, ensuring superior chocolate flavor.  Combined with Kahlua and espresso powder in this recipe and there’s no way the end result won’t be amazing!

After the bars emerge from the oven and have a chance to cool, they’re showered with additional espresso powder and chocolate shavings.  That bite from the bar above?  Totally taken by yours truly.  And after the photo was taken I did finish eating the rest of it as I simply couldn’t resist.  

I have no doubt these Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars will be made several more times this holiday season.  With them as my fuel, I can no doubt survive anything December throws my way!

How to Make Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars

[1]  Add butter, sugar, espresso, baking cocoa and flour to bowl of an electric mixer.

[2]  Cream together on medium speed until combined.

[3]  Press in bottom and 1/2″ up sides sides of 8″ square pan lined with parchment paper.

[4]  Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

[5]  In the bowl of an electric mixer, add egg yolks and sugar.

[6]  Beat together until thickened.

[7]  Slowly mix in whipping cream, Kahlua and nutmeg until just combined.

[8]  Pour over crust and bake an additional 50 minutes at 300 degrees or until set.

If you’ve tried these Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment!

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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars

These Chocolate Espresso Eggnog Bars are perfect for any holiday get together! A chocolate espresso crust is the base for a eggnog filling spiked with Kahlua and nutmeg for a twist on traditional eggnog. After a shower of espresso powder and chocolate shavings on top, these decadent treats are ready to devour.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time1 hr 10 mins

Total Time1 hr 20 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 141kcal

Author: Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

Ingredients

Crust

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso
• 1/4 cup Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa
• 3/4 cup flour

Filling

• 5 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/4 cups whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons Kahlua
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Garnish

• additional espresso powder
• chocolate shavings

Instructions

Crust

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line bottom and sides of 8" square pan with parchment pan so that parchment extends 2" over sides in both directions.
• In a medium bowl, stir together all crust ingredients.
• Press in bottom and up 1/2" sides of pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Filling

• Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar together until thickened.
• Slowly mix in whipping cream, Kahlua and nutmeg until just combined.
• Pour over crust and bake an additional 50 minutes or until set.
• Let cool completely.
• Garnish with additional espresso powder and chocolate shavings.
• Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 6mg | Sugar: 11g