Espresso Almond Strips

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   In large bowl, stir espresso powder and 1 tablespoon water until coffee dissolves.
3. 3
   Add flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, almond extract, and egg; with mixer at low speed, beat ingredients until blended, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.
4. 4
   Stir in walnuts.
5. 5
   Spread dough in ungreased 9x9-inch baking dish.
6. 6
   Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. 7
   Remove pan from oven to wire rack.
8. 8
   Immediately sprinkle chocolate pieces over hot cookie; let stand 5 minutes.
9. 9
   Evenly spread melted chocolate over top of cookie.
10. 10
    Cool in pan on wire rack until chocolate is firm.
11. 11
    When cold, cut into 3 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 9 bars.