• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cambrea Bakes
  • Holiday Baking
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Holiday Baking
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Holiday Baking
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Cambrea Bakes » Recipes » Bar & Brownie Recipes

    Espresso Brownies

    Published: August 27, 2022 Modified: Nov 30, 2021 by Cambrea Gordon. This post may contain affiliate links. *If you want tips, step-by-step shots, and videos, be sure to read the whole post below!

    142.6K shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Tumblr
    Jump to Recipe
    espresso brownies on parchment paper.
    espresso brownies on parchment paper.

    These espresso brownies are made with brown butter and loaded with rich coffee flavor. Thick and fudgy with extra gooey centers, they are truly gourmet and sure to be your new favorite!

    three espresso brownies stacked on each other.

    I have an obsession with adding espresso to chocolate desserts, like espresso cookies and chocolate espresso cake.

    These espresso brownies are the best recipe I've created!

    They are loaded with coffee flavor and perfect for coffee lovers. If you love chocolate and espresso together, you are going to love this recipe.

    They are perfectly gooey in the middle with the best chewy edges and you can taste the espresso in every single bite!

    I love them so much that I used the same base recipe to make my red velvet brownies!

    Jump to:
    • why you'll love this recipe
    • ingredient notes & substitutions
    • recipe instructions
    • expert baking tips
    • storage & freezing
    • recipe faqs
    • more brownie recipes to try!
    • Recipe 📖
    • Reviews
    espresso brownies on parchment paper.

    why you'll love this recipe

    • Coffee brownies: These brownies were actually made for coffee lovers. They are spiked with a generous amount of ground espresso which you can taste in every bite, similar to my coffee cinnamon rolls!
    • Thick and fudgy: No cakey brownies here! They are thick and extremely fudgy with extra gooey centers that are to die for.
    • Easy recipe: The only step that requires a bit more effort is browning the butter but I promise it's so worth it!

    ingredient notes & substitutions

    ingredients needed to make the coffee brownies.

    Butter: Unsalted butter is used in this recipe. It can be substituted for salted butter, but I recommend leaving out the measured salt.

    Cocoa powder: For rich and dark brownies, dutch processed dark cocoa powder is best! You can use regular cocoa powder but it will be less rich.

    Semi-sweet chocolate chips: I recommend a high-quality chocolate brand like Ghiradelli for the best flavor. You can also use a bar of chocolate and chop it up if you are out of chips!

    Espresso: For the most intense coffee flavor, I recommend using espresso powder. You can use instant coffee granules if needed, but the flavor won't be as strong.

    Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!

    recipe instructions

    Here's how to make these coffee brownies! You will need a stand mixer or hand mixer to make the batter. Before you start, preheat your oven to 350 F/180 C and line a square 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.

    Step 1: Brown the butter. In a large stainless steel pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.

    While the butter is cooking, it will crackle, pop, and foam. This is normal! Stir it occasionally and stand nearby to watch over it so it doesn't burn.

    When the bottom is covered in brown bits of butter solids and it smells nutty, take it off the heat (image 1 below).

    Step 2: Melt the chocolate in the butter. Pour the butter into a medium bowl and add the chocolate chips.

    Make sure to scrape up all of the butter and browned bits into the bowl! Let the chocolate sit for a minute, then stir until the chocolate is melted and fully combined with the butter (image 2 below).

    a process collage of the steps for making coffee brownies.

    Step 3: Whisk the eggs and sugar. In a stand mixing bowl or in a bowl with a hand mixer, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla together until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.

    Then with the mixer running, stream the chocolate and butter into the bowl, mixing until just combined (image 3 above).

    Step 4: Fold in the dry ingredients. Fold in the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso until just combined (image 4 above).

    Step 5: Bake! Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or spoon to evenly smooth the top (image 5 below).

    Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 28-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out covered in a few moist crumbs. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before cutting then enjoy!

    a process shot of the brownie batter in a pan before baking.

    expert baking tips

    • Use the right pan to brown the butter. I recommend a light-colored or stainless steel pan for browning the butter. It makes it much easier to see when it has browned and ensures it doesn't burn!
    • Don't skip the espresso! The espresso not only gives these brownies their intense coffee flavor but balances the richness and brings out more of the chocolate flavor.
    • Use a kitchen scale. Baking with a scale is much more accurate than cup measurements. To convert this recipe, click the "metric" button next to the ingredients title on the recipe card. If you do not have a scale, use a spoon to fluff the flour first, then spoon it into your measuring cup.
    • Don't overbake. It's okay if the brownies still have a slight jiggly center when you pull them out. They will continue to bake in the hot pan. Overbaking will not give you soft and gooey centers!
    • Cut them once cool. Trust me I know it's so hard to wait but they will fall apart if you cut them too early!

    storage & freezing

    Store them at room temperature wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

    Cut the pan into squares then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment in between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months!

    recipe faqs

  • Does browning the butter for the brownies make a difference?
  • Yes! The nutty flavor of the butter brings out a more rich chocolate flavor.

    How much caffeine is in espresso brownies?

    There is a very small amount of caffeine in the brownies. There is a total of two tablespoons added to the entire batch.

    Can I use gluten-free flour?

    I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour but would love to hear how it turns out!

    Is it possible to bake them in a different-sized pan?

    You can bake this recipe in a 9x13 pan for thinner brownies. They will bake quicker than the indicated baking time so keep an eye on them!

    a few coffee brownies on parchment paper.

    more brownie recipes to try!

    • Christmas sugar cookie bars with festive sprinkles on a gold wire rack.
      Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
    • pecan pie brownies stacked on a piece of brown parchment paper.
      Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownies
    • Monster cookie bars on parchment paper with mm candies and chocolate chips on top.
      Monster Cookie Bars
    • nutella bars stuffed with gooey nutella in the center.
      Easy Brown Butter Nutella Bars

    If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

    Recipe 📖

    three espresso brownies stacked to show their fudgy texture.
    5 from 169 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Espresso Brownies

    These espresso brownies are made with brown butter and loaded with rich coffee flavor. Thick and fudgy with extra gooey centers, they are truly gourmet and sure to be your new favorite!
    Servings 16 brownies
    Prep 20 minutes mins
    Cook 28 minutes mins
    Total 48 minutes mins
    Course : Dessert
    Cuisine : American
    Author : Cambrea Gordon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • square 8x8 baking pan You MUST use a square pan with square edges as shown. Glass or ceramic pans retain heat differently. A pan with rounded edges will need to bake longer than the bake time.
    Need Metric Measurements?Use the button options below to toggle between US cups and Metric grams!

    Ingredients 
     

    • 1 cup unsalted butter cold
    • 1 cup + 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
    • 2 tablespoon espresso powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • ½ tablespoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Line a square 8x8 baking pan** (see notes below) with parchment paper and set aside.
    • In a stainless steel pan, brown the butter over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. While it cooks, the butter will foam, pop, and crackle. This is normal! Stand by and stir it occasionally. When the bottom of the pan has brown bits of butter solid and it starts to smell nutty, scrape all of it into a separate bowl.
      1 cup unsalted butter
    • Add the chocolate chips to the bowl of browned butter and stir to melt completely. Set aside.
      1 cup + 2 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso, and salt. Set aside
      1 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoon dark cocoa powder, 2 tablespoon espresso powder, ½ teaspoon salt
    • In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla together on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
      1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
    • With the mixer running on low, stream the melted butter and chocolate into the batter. Mix until just combined.
    • Gently fold in the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 28-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out covered in moist crumbs.
      All ovens are different, and your brownies may bake quicker or take longer than the indicated baking time. If your pan has rounded edges or is anything other than METAL, it will take longer to bake, closer to 45-50 minutes.
    • Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack then cut into 16 squares with a hot sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts.

    Video

    Notes

    Step-by-step process photos are provided above, in the body of this post.
    *Measure your flour properly. This is my #1 baking tip! Do not ever scoop a measuring cup into your flour as this always leads to using too much flour. Instead, use the spoon-level method. This means fluffing the flour first, then spooning it into your measuring cup/spoon. For the BEST results, use a kitchen scale!*
    ** Use a square pan. You MUST use a square metal 8x8 baking pan with square edges as shown. Glass or ceramic pans retain heat differently. A pan with rounded edges will need to bake longer than the bake time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

    The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

    More Bar & Brownie Recipes

    • oreo brownie topped with chopped oreo cookies.
      Oreo Brownies
    • biscoff brownie with a layer of cookie butter in the center.
      Biscoff Brownies
    • mm brownies on a wire rack with one on its side to show the texture.
      M&M Brownies
    • a rocky road brownie on top of another.
      Rocky Road Brownies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Brooke says

      December 03, 2023 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      super easy to follow directions & they turned out great!! even better that it’s all from scratch. 😋

      Reply
    2. Sihem says

      November 05, 2023 at 8:28 am

      5 stars
      Love them. I always add chopped walnuts too, they go very well with the brown botter. Best brownie recipe I ever made

      Reply
    3. Patricia Kirsten says

      October 19, 2023 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      Gave these a 5 even though I have not made them yet!!! How can one go wrong with browned butter, chocolate and coffee? Love your recipes and great directions 🙂 I have just started top follow you!!

      Reply
    4. Mitzi Dedman says

      October 15, 2023 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      Freaking amazing!! I will be making them again & again!!

      Reply
    5. Kathy says

      October 15, 2023 at 11:10 am

      I am getting ready to make this brownies but I love walnuts in my brownies, can I add a cup of chopped walnuts??

      Reply
      • Cambrea Gordon says

        October 15, 2023 at 1:14 pm

        Definitely!

        Reply
    6. Mandy says

      October 13, 2023 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      These came out amazing! Thank you so much! I was worried as it was my first time browning butter but it easier than expected.
      I will definitely be make again!

      And thanks to Brittany Lutz for her post sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Mina says

      September 30, 2023 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      I've made these 4 times, and they're amazing

      Reply
    8. Queeny says

      September 20, 2023 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      mine is in the oven rn as i'm typing this and oh this is the second time i'm making this recipe. i absolutely love it thank you.

      Reply
    9. Linda says

      September 19, 2023 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      These are fabulous!! I baked them an extra 15 min. though. I was craving something ooey gooey and chocolatey and these hit the spot!

      Reply
    10. Alani says

      September 04, 2023 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      These came out bomb! I cooked mine in a cast iron skillet for around 30 minutes

      Reply
    11. Annie says

      September 02, 2023 at 11:32 am

      When you say Dutch processed dark cocoa is that the same as black cocoa? I have both black and Dutch cocoa, so I just wanted to make sure I used the right ingredient, definitely looking forward to trying these out!

      Reply
      • Cambrea Gordon says

        September 02, 2023 at 12:30 pm

        Hi Annie! Dutch cocoa is different than black cocoa, for this recipe I recommend using the Dutch cocoa! 🙂

        Reply
    12. JoJo says

      September 01, 2023 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      These were so fudgy and delicious! I'd recommend using a good quality chocolate if you can as it is the most prominent flavour in these brownies. And even if you think you don't like coffee, please don't skip that step.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    head shot of cambrea.

    Hey, I'm Cambrea!

    Cambrea is a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer. Here you'll find bakery-worthy sweet and savory kitchen-tested recipes that are unique twists on classics. Cambrea has been featured on Fox News, Shoutout Arizona, The Feed Feed, Domino Sugar, and more.

    More about me →

    Christmas Recipes

    • Christmas sugar cookie bars with festive sprinkles on a gold wire rack.
      Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
    • A slice of gingerbread cake on brown parchment paper with mini gingerbread cookies on top.
      Moist Gingerbread Cake
    • Candy cane chocolate chip cookies on a white serving plate.
      Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Molasses crinkle cookie with a bite taken out of it on a baking tray.
      Molasses Crinkle Cookies
    • Chocolate thumbprint cookies filled with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with finely chopped chocolate.
      Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
    • pecan pie brownies stacked on a piece of brown parchment paper.
      Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownies

    Thanksgiving Favorites

    • Molasses crinkle cookie with a bite taken out of it on a baking tray.
      Molasses Crinkle Cookies
    • pecan pie brownies stacked on a piece of brown parchment paper.
      Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownies
    • Savory bread pudding in a white baking pan with fresh thyme leaves on top.
      Savory Bread Pudding
    • Apple pie filled cookies with caramel sauce drizzled on top on parchment paper.
      Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

    Cookie Recipes

    • pumpkin cheesecake cookies with a cheesecake center on parchment paper.
      Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
    • Biscoff butter cookies on a baking tray with melted cookie butter on top of each one.
      Biscoff Butter Cookies
    • toffee chocolate chip cookie on a baking tray topped with extra toffee pieces.
      Brown Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Chocolate chip pumpkin cookies on parchment paper.
      Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • a pile of chocolate chip pecan cookies topped with chocolate chips and flaky sea salt.
      Molasses Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
    • a few brownie crinkle cookies on brown parchment paper sprinkled with sea salt.
      Salted Mocha Brownie Cookies

    Cake Recipes

    • Cinnamon roll cake slices on a wooden platter on their sides to show the cinnamon swirl texture.
      Cinnamon Roll Cake
    • Reeses peanut butter cake on a wooden cake stand with slices missing to show the filling.
      Reese's Cake
    • Black velvet cake cut in half on a white marble platter.
      Black Velvet Cake
    • Chocolate turtle cupcakes with caramel swirled buttercream, chocolate ganache, and pecans.
      Chocolate Turtle Cupcakes

    Brownie Recipes

    • smores brownies cut into squares.
      S'mores Brownies with Homemade Marshmallow
    • chocolate chip blondies stacked on top of each other.
      Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • salted caramel pretzel brownies on a rack.
      Pretzel Brownies with Salted Caramel
    • blueberry blondie with a bite taken out of it.
      Blueberry Crumble Blondies

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    read our terms

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    keep in touch

    • Sign Up! for emails and exclusive email-only recipes.
    • Find us on Instagram
    • Find us on Facebook
    • Find us on Pinterest

    about

    • About
    • Contact Me

    As an affiliate partner, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I really use and love.

    Copyright © 2023 Cambrea Bakes LLC