These espresso chocolate chip cookies are a one-bowl grown-up version of a classic chocolate chip cookie! Made with browned butter, and 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 coffee brownies and chocolate coffee cake, but these espresso chocolate chip cookies have become my newest obsession!
I started with my favorite toffee chocolate chip cookie as the base, added ground espresso, and they turned into these delicious coffee cookies! The browned butter and espresso bring a gourmet richness to the cookie dough that makes it super addicting and perfect for any occasion.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Espresso Cookies
- Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven! Coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and also balances the bitter and acidic qualities it has, like in chocolate and raspberry cake.
- Every bite is buttery, chewy, chocolatey, and full of espresso flavor.
- No mixer is required! You can make espresso chocolate chip cookies with 10 simple ingredients and they come together without a stand mixer, similar to our chocolate miso cookies.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Espresso: Espresso powder is best for this recipe. You can also use the grounds from an espresso pod from your coffee machine! I tested these espresso chocolate chip cookies with coarsely ground coffee but the grounds left a gritty taste so I don’t recommend using them.
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 it 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.
Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below!
Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Brown the butter. In a stainless steel pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat stirring constantly until browned.
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 (image 1 below). I have a detailed post on how to brown butter if you’re new to baking!
Step 2: Whisk in the sugars. Whisk in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar for one minute until well combined (image 2 below).
Step 3: Mix in the wet ingredients. Whisk in the room temperature egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined (image 3 above).
Step 4: Mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, chocolate chips, and salt until just combined (image 4 above).
Step 5: Scoop and bake! Scoop the cookie dough onto one of the prepared baking trays. Chill the tray in the freezer for at least 3-4 hours, overnight is best (image 5 above)!
Bake the cookies spaced 2-3 inches apart (one tray 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 them.
I can tell you’re an espresso lover…which means you will LOVE my espresso tiramisu brownies. They are packed with espresso flavor!
Professional Baking Tips
- My top tip as a professional pastry chef is baking with 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. 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 and Freezing
- Storage: 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!
FAQs
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 powder is finely ground coffee beans that typically come in a jar in the baking aisle.
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!
If you tried this or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments; 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!
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon ground espresso
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, *see notes for measuring in notes below*
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 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 (196 g) 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.1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (128 g) light brown sugar, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.1 (54 g) large egg, 1 (18 g) large egg yolk, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fold in the flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate until just combined.1 2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon (212 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup (76 g) 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 at least 3-4 hours (overnight for the best flavor and texture!).
- When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Bake the frozen 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
The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
Oh my god these are delish! I used Callebeaut blone chocolate chips and dark chocolate 👌🏼👌🏼
Hi Cambrea, baked off the espresso cookies from letting them sit overnight in the freezer and that was the best advice. Not having to stay up late at night to chill then bake was wonderful. They sat in the freezer all night and your right the flavor was out of this world perfect. I do not recommend adding more espresso as it can make for a bitter taste. I too used the instant and it was fine. As a ex pastry chef I will follow the recipe if I have not baked it ever. Your recipe was perfect, baked perfect and taste was amazing. The espresso flavor with the vanilla, and good quality chocolate makes the cookie. I would not change a thing. These cookies are on the way to my Mother and Sister for Mothers Day. They will be a hit!!!!!!!
Thank you SO much for this super kind review Diane! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you loved them, and I hope they are a big hit with your family! Thank you so much for coming back to leave me a review, I so appreciate it! 🙂
I have not yet tried this recipe, but it looks interesting. I proposed using Kahlua, or other coffee flavored liqueur, instead of vanilla to enhance the coffee flavor, and using instant espresso coffee powder instead of chopping up coffee beans. Finally, there are espresso chocolate chips available from the Nestle chocolate company which should be used, again to enhance the coffee flavor. I will be using these suggestions when I try the recipe. Thanks.
Haven’t tried these yet but they look great. Just to confirm – you put these in the freezer to chill (not the refrigerator)? Aren’t they too rock solid to spread out in the oven? Thanks for your help!
Hi Max! Yes, the cookies need to be frozen before baking. The recipe has been specifically designed to spread from frozen, so no worries 🙂
I have not made these yet but I have been baking your recipes for the last year and i have not had a bad one. You are my favorite cookie recipe lady;-) Can I freeze these cookies instead of baking the next day. I want to prepare the dough this week and bake them to ship next week to my son? Most of your recipes say but this one does not. I am assume no problem?
Hi Diane! Thank you soo much for your super kind comment, it totally made my day! And yes you can absolutely freeze them in advance and just bake them off whenever you are ready to! 🙂