Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars

Yes, I know - most people see "gluten-free" and  either 1) freak out, assuming this recipe will somehow be a hundred times more complicated than a "normal" one or 2) presumptuously believe it will taste like cardboard. I can assure you neither of these conclusions are true for freshly baked gluten-free goods. In fact, this is one of the simplest, best tasting, gluten-free cookie recipes I've tried (and believe me, I've tried many...). All you need is a simple, inexpensive mixture you can store like your average all-purpose flour and whip out whenever your Kitchen Aid mixer calls.

World's Easiest Gluten-Free Flour Mixture:

*Note* I found 1 pound bags of each of the following ingredients for under $1 (yes, that's right - One. Dollar.) at Ranch 99 Asian Market in San Diego. So next time you're at the local Asian market, stock up!

• 2 cups potato starch
• 6 cups rice flour
• 1 cup tapioca starch

Mix all ingredients together and store in a large container. Makes about 8 cups worth of flour. 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Coffee Bars

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups gluten-free flour mixture
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. xanthan gum (found in local grocery stores)
• 1 stick softened butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp. instant coffee grounds
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus 1/2 cup for drizzling

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 375 degrees

*Grease a 9x13in pan, set aside

*Whisk together flour mixture, salt, baking soda, and xanthan gum - set aside.

*With an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. 

*Add eggs (one at a time) and vanilla - beat about 1 minute.

*Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture in the electric mixer. 

*Add coffee grounds and 1 cup of chocolate chips.

*Press dough into the prepared 9x13 pan until dough is touching all sides of the pan and is about 1/3-1/2 inch in thickness.

*Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when pressed into the center.

*While coffee bars are baking, melt additional 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (in a microwave or double boiler). Once bars are done baking, drizzle chocolate on top before cutting into squares and serving. 

Enjoy!