Espresso Brownies Recipe

Espresso Brownies Recipe: Fudgy Bliss in Every Bite

Rich espresso brownies represent a decadent fusion of intense chocolate and robust coffee flavors that elevate classic dessert boundaries.

Coffee enthusiasts and chocolate lovers unite around this irresistible treat that upgrades traditional baking expectations.

Deep, complex notes intertwine seamlessly, creating a sophisticated dessert experience that tantalizes sophisticated palates.

Dark chocolate and espresso powder collaborate to produce an indulgent sensation that transcends ordinary sweet recipes.

Subtle caffeine undertones enhance the brownie’s luxurious texture, promising a sensory journey through multilayered taste sensations.

Crisp edges and fudgy centers deliver a harmonious contrast that will delight passionate bakers and discerning dessert connoisseurs.

You’ll want to savor every nuanced bite of this extraordinary confection.

Why Espresso Brownies Bring Richness in Every Bite

  • Boost Espresso Flavor: These brownies pack an intense coffee punch by incorporating both brewed espresso and espresso powder, creating a deep, rich chocolate experience that coffee lovers will absolutely adore.
  • Achieve Bakery-Perfect Texture: The careful whisking technique of sugar and eggs for 4-5 minutes guarantees those coveted crinkly brownie tops and a delightfully fudgy interior that melts in your mouth.
  • Super Simple Preparation: With straightforward ingredients and an easy mixing method, these brownies are approachable for bakers of all skill levels, promising professional-quality results without complicated techniques.
  • Convenient Make-Ahead Treat: Stored at room temperature for up to 5 days, these brownies offer a quick dessert option that stays fresh and delicious, perfect for unexpected guests or midweek chocolate cravings.

What Goes into the Perfect Espresso Brownies

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich and flavorful base for brownie texture, choose unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create crisp brownie top, use fresh and free-flowing sugars.
  • Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness to brownies, select fresh large eggs.
  • Brewed Espresso: Intensifies chocolate flavor and adds depth, use strong, freshly brewed espresso.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, choose pure vanilla extract for best results.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to brownies, use fresh and sifted for smooth texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor, select high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa.
  • Espresso Powder: Boosts coffee and chocolate notes, ensures concentrated coffee essence.
  • Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, use flaky texture salt.
Baking Preparation:
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy brownie removal, helps prevent sticking to pan.
  • Vegetable Oil Spray: Assists in pan preparation and prevents sticking, use light coating.

Baking Steps for Deep, Fudgy Espresso Brownies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) to create the perfect baking environment.

Step 2: Create Smooth Sugar Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend:
  • Melted butter
  • Light brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar

Whisk ingredients until they form a smooth, creamy mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously for 4-5 minutes. The goal is to create a lighter, airier batter that will result in those signature crinkly brownie tops.

Step 4: Add Liquid Flavor Enhancers

Stir in:
  • Brewed espresso
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until the liquid is fully integrated and the batter looks glossy.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

Gently fold in:
  • Cocoa powder
  • All-purpose flour
  • Espresso powder
  • Kosher salt

Mix carefully to avoid overmixing, which can make brownies tough.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Pan

Create a parchment paper sling slightly narrower than the pan. Lightly spray pan with vegetable oil spray, then place parchment paper inside, pressing it smoothly against the pan’s surface.

Step 7: Fill and Spread Batter

Pour brownie batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread evenly, ensuring consistent thickness.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife- it should come out mostly clean.

Step 9: Cool and Remove

Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use parchment paper edges to lift out the entire batch.

Step 10: Store and Enjoy

Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to 5 days, but they’re most scrumptious within the first 2-3 days.

Tips for Enhancing the Espresso Flavor

  • Whisk Thoroughly: Beat sugar and eggs for 4-5 minutes to create those coveted crinkly brownie tops that bakery lovers crave.
  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients until just combined to maintain a fudgy, tender brownie texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Perfect Parchment Hack: Create a paper sling for easy removal and clean cutting, ensuring your brownies look as professional as they taste.
  • Espresso Boost: Use freshly brewed espresso at room temperature to enhance chocolate flavor without adding excess moisture to the batter.
  • Doneness Test: Check brownies with a knife- a few moist crumbs are perfect, indicating a rich, decadent center that's not overbaked.

Best Storage Ideas for Espresso Brownies

  • Refrigerate: Place cooled brownies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and freshness.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual brownies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Store for up to 3 months, preserving their rich espresso flavor.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen brownies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or enjoy at room temperature for the best texture and taste.

What Matches Well with Espresso Brownies

  • Brew & Sip Espresso Martini: Complement the rich espresso brownies with a classic espresso martini, blending vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of fresh espresso for an elevated dessert experience.
  • Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream Pairing: Top warm brownies with a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful contrast between the intense chocolate and cool, creamy texture.
  • Nutty Almond Milk Companion: Serve the brownies alongside a chilled glass of almond milk, which provides a subtle nuttiness that enhances the espresso and chocolate flavors without overwhelming the dessert.
  • Dark Chocolate Orange Liqueur Splash: Drizzle a small amount of orange-infused chocolate liqueur over the brownies, adding a zesty citrus note that complements the deep espresso undertones.

Delicious Ways to Tweak Your Espresso Brownie Batch

  • Mocha Marble Brownies: Swirl in coffee-flavored cream cheese or mascarpone into the brownie batter before baking, creating beautiful marbled patterns with rich, creamy coffee undertones.
  • Salted Caramel Espresso Brownies: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the cooled brownies, adding a luxurious layer of sweet and salty complexity to the espresso-infused base.
  • Nutty Espresso Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or hazelnuts on top of the batter before baking, introducing a delightful textural contrast and complementing the deep coffee notes.
  • Chocolate-Covered Espresso Bean Brownies: Press whole chocolate-covered espresso beans into the surface of the brownies after baking, providing an extra caffeine kick and decorative crunch.
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Espresso Brownies Recipe

Espresso Brownies Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Rich espresso brownies meld deep chocolate intensity with bold coffee notes, creating a sophisticated dessert. Coffee lovers savor these fudgy squares that deliver a luxurious balance of bittersweet chocolate and robust espresso undertones you can’t resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (226 grams)

Sugars:

  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Other Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (90 grams)
  • ¼ cup brewed espresso
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Craft a parchment paper sling slightly narrower than the baking pan, ensuring a precise fit. Lightly coat the pan’s interior with vegetable spray to facilitate easy removal.
  2. Combine melted butter with light brown and granulated sugars, whisking vigorously until thoroughly integrated and smooth.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually, beating extensively after each addition. Continue whisking for 4-5 minutes to develop a luxurious, crinkly surface texture.
  4. Infuse the mixture with brewed espresso and vanilla extract, stirring until completely harmonized.
  5. Gently fold in cocoa powder, flour, espresso powder, and kosher salt. Blend carefully to maintain a delicate batter consistency, avoiding overmixing.
  6. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, distributing evenly with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
  7. Position the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the brownies to bake for 30-45 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a knife near the center – it should emerge with minimal, moist crumbs.
  8. After removing from the oven, let the brownies rest completely within the pan, allowing them to set and develop optimal texture.
  9. Once cooled, leverage the parchment paper edges to gracefully extract the brownies from the pan.
  10. For optimal freshness, store in an airtight container. Consume within 2-3 days for peak flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Whisking eggs and sugar thoroughly creates those coveted crinkly brownie tops that look professionally baked.
  • Using parchment paper sling ensures easy removal and prevents brownies from sticking to the pan.
  • Brewed espresso and espresso powder intensify the chocolate flavor, making these brownies deeply rich and complex.
  • Careful not to overmix the batter preserves the fudgy texture and prevents tough, dense brownies.
  • Cooling completely in the pan allows brownies to set properly and develop their ultimate texture.
  • Store at room temperature for maximum freshness, enjoying within the first couple of days for peak deliciousness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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