These espresso chocolate chip cookies are a grown-up version of a classic chocolate chip cookie! Made with browned butter, espresso grounds, and packed with chocolate, they are the best cookies for coffee lovers!
I never thought I would love an espresso-flavored dessert more than my espresso brownies and coffee chocolate cake, but these espresso chocolate chip cookies have become my newest obsession!
I started with my favorite brown butter chocolate chip cookie as the base, add ground espresso, and they turned into these delicious little coffee cookies!
The browned butter and espresso bring a gourmet richness to the cookie dough that makes them super addicting and perfect for any occasion.
For more coffee-flavored recipes, try Coffee Chocolate Cake, Coffee Chocolate Chip Blondies, and Coffee Banana Cake.
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why you'll love this recipe
- Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven! Coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and also balances the bitter and acidic qualities it has.
- Every bite is buttery, chewy, chocolatey, and full of espresso flavor.
- No mixer is required! This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients and comes together without a stand mixer.
ingredients & substitutions
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below!
- Espresso: Espresso grounds or espresso powder is best for this recipe. I don't recommend coarsely ground coffee or it will taste gritty when you eat them. My favorite trick is opening up an espresso pod from my coffee machine and using that!
- Butter: While this recipe calls for unsalted butter, salted butter can be used in equal parts. You may need to eliminate half of the salt from the recipe to prevent them from being too salty.
- Chocolate chips: You can use milk, dark, semi-sweet chocolate chips (as used in this recipe), or a combination! You can also play with using chopped chocolate or chocolate chunks for big pools of melted chocolate.
recipe instructions
Before you start, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. You will need a standard (two tablespoons) cookie scoop, a large mixing bowl, and a whisk to make the cookie dough.
STEP ONE: Brown the butter. In a stainless steel pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat stirring occasionally until browned. The time can vary, 9-10 minutes is perfect in my kitchen!
Once the color is amber brown, scrape all of the butter into a mixing bowl, mix in the espresso, then set it aside to cool to room temperature. This takes about 20-30 minutes in my kitchen.
STEP TWO: Whisk in the sugars. Whisk in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar for one minute until well combined.
STEP THREE: Mix in the wet ingredients. Whisk in the room temperature egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined.
STEP FOUR: Mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, chocolate chips, and salt until just combined.
STEP FIVE: Scoop and bake! Scoop the dough onto one of the prepared baking trays. Chill the tray in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours, overnight is best!
When you are ready to bake them, preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Space the cookies 2-3 inches apart and bake the trays one at a time for 10-12 minutes.
Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with flaky sea salt if desired. Let the tray cool on a wire cooling rack before removing.
expert baking tips
- 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.
- Chill the dough overnight. I know it is so tempting to bake them the same day, but the magic happens overnight! The cookies will have a better texture and flavor with an overnight chill.
- Scoot the cookies after baking. Sometimes the cookies will bake lopsided. As soon as you take them out of the oven, place a round cookie cutter around the cookie and scoot the edges to make them perfectly round!
- Use good quality espresso/coffee. You will have the best results and cookie flavor with high-quality ground coffee.
storage & freezing
- Room temperature: Store the baked espresso cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Once scooped and frozen, transfer the cookie dough balls to an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for 1-3 months!
faq's
Definitely! Make sure to stir it well into the hot butter so it dissolves properly.
Because these espresso chocolate chip cookies use espresso, they do contain a small amount of caffeine. Use decaf coffee beans if you are sensitive to caffeine!
Espresso grounds are very finely ground coffee beans that are used for making shots of brewed espresso.
Yes! You can use a large 3-tablespoon scoop for about large 14 cookies. Add at least 1-2 minutes to the baking time!
I have not tested this recipe with instant coffee but would love to hear how they turn out!
more cookie recipes to try
If you tried this or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below, I love hearing from you! Also, please leave a star rating while you're there! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
Recipe 📖
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon ground espresso
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 â…” cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a stainless steel pan, cook the butter over medium heat until the butter solids at the bottom are an amber brown color. (For me this takes about 10 minutes!) Scrape all of the butter into your mixing bowl.14 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Stir the espresso grounds then set the bowl aside to cool to room temperature. (In my kitchen, this takes about 20-30 minutes!).1 tablespoon ground espresso
- Whisk in the sugar and brown sugar for one minute until combined.½ cup + 2 tablespoon light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fold in the flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate until just combined.1 ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips
- Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Then chill the tray in the freezer for a minimum of 1-2 hours (overnight for the best flavor and texture!).
- When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Bake the cookies spaced at least two inches apart for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the middle is still pale and puffy.
- Let the tray cool on a wire cooling rack and enjoy!
Notes
- 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.
- Chill the dough overnight. I know it is so tempting to bake them the same day, but the magic happens overnight! The cookies will have a better texture and flavor with an overnight chill.
- Scoot the cookies after baking. Sometimes the cookies will bake lopsided. As soon as you take them out of the oven, place a round cookie cutter around the cookie and scoot the edges to make them perfectly round!
- Use good quality espresso/coffee. You will have the best results and cookie flavor with high-quality ground coffee.
The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
This recipe was originally published in June 2021. It has since been updated with new photos and an improved recipe in January 2023.
hajra says
we enjoyed these a lot, thank you so much for the recipe!
Cambrea Gordon says
So glad to hear that Hajra! 🙂
Kaileigh says
lovely recipe grate with a glass of coffee!
Dana says
My god these cookies are SO. FREAKIN'. GOOD. I can't get over how well they turned out! So gooey and perfect!!
Elizabeth says
The pictures have me drooling! These look delicious and I can't wait to try them.
Holley says
Oh my gooey goodness are these cookies delicious! Can't get enough of these!!!
Amy says
These cookies are amazing! The texture is perfection and they were so easy to make!
Sisley White - Sew White says
Coffee and a cookie is my go-to favourite thing at the moment but now I can have cookies with coffee inside! So delicious.
Luseidy says
How many ounces are each cookie before baking? Thanks!
Cambrea Gordon says
Each cookie is just less than 2 ounces, about 48 grams each! 🙂
Mariah says
WOW the espresso flavor of these cookies was incredible. We loved the graham cracker crumbs it made the cookie a nice honey flavor and we added extra chocolate chips to ours!