Coffee Brownies {Mocha Espresso Brownies}

Easy, thick, sweet and fudgy coffee brownies recipe, from scratch, homemade with simple ingredients Full of semisweet and dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, brewed coffee, espresso powder and topped with mocha glaze that makes them very decadent.

*Thank you Ninja Coffee Bar System for sponsoring today's post so that I could share this recipe with all of you. As always, all opinions are mine.*

Even though I am obsessed with my recipe for Fudgy Brownies With Crackly Tops, I am always prepared to experiment in the kitchen and develop new recipes. Today's recipe combines my two biggest loves: chocolate and coffee. The coffee flavor comes from two ingredients: espresso powder and strongly brewed liquid coffee. The chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder and chocolate chips.

Jump to:

• Key Ingredients
• Variations for fudgy espresso brownies
• How to make easy coffee brownies recipe from scratch?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More coffee desserts
• Recipe

Key Ingredients

• Granulated sugar- This is just your typical table sugar you likely have in your pantry and puts the sweet in "sweet tooth."
• Brown sugar- Similar to granulated, but this sugar includes molasses.
• Butter- Use unsalted and at room temperature for best results.
• Coffee- Strongly brewed for best flavor.
• Cocoa powder- Be sure it is unsweetened and of the best quality.
• Espresso powder- This cannot be substituted with ground coffee.
• Eggs- Use the large size and be sure they are at room temperature.
• Vanilla extract- Combines well with the warm coffee and chocolate flavors.
• All-purpose flour- No need to get fancy here, your every day flour works great.
• Mini chocolate chips- Use a combination of semisweet and dark.
• Walnuts- Make sure they are not whole but roughly chopped.
• Powdered sugar- Essential ingredient for making a great glaze and not to be confused with granulated sugar.
• Sprinkles- These are optional but so fun to use.

Variations for fudgy espresso brownies

• Frost with- Chocolate Buttercream, American Buttercream, Caramel Frosting, Chocolate Ganache Frosting, or Coconut Cream Chocolate Frosting.
• Drizzle on- Caramel Sauce, Hot Fudge Sauce, Powder Sugar Glaze, or Chocolate Ganache.
• Top with- Homemade Whipped Topping or Chocolate Whipped Top as well as various chopped nuts, different kinds of sprinkles, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, or coconut flakes.
• You can omit walnuts- In this recipe OR replace them with any other nut you like.
• If you like really ooey gooey brownies- Under-bake them. They won't be fully cooked through but they are so good! I suggest baking for only 20 minutes for this ooey gooey texture.
• Instead of glaze- Simply serve this with vanilla ice cream.
• Add other extracts- Such as almond, maple, or even espresso that will really take that coffee flavor up a notch.

How to make easy coffee brownies recipe from scratch?

Tips and techniques

• Use the best quality ingredients- Especially with coffee and cocoa, because your dessert is only as good as the ingredients you use.
• Brewed coffee should be at room temperature- Do not use boiling hot coffee.
• Do not replace cocoa powder with melted chocolate- Because the texture will change and not be as good.
• Be very careful not to burn the sugar and butter mixture- You can prepare the mixture in a saucepan or the microwave.
• You must cool down the sugar mixture- Before adding the rest of the ingredients or else the eggs will start cooking in this hot mixture.
• Don't skip the coffee glaze- Because it really takes this treat over the top and you can truly taste the chocolate and coffee flavors bursting in your mouth.
• How to know when brownies are ready? An inserted toothpick in the center comes out with a few sticky crumbs. If it comes out dry, you have over-baked your brownies. They will still taste great but won't be as fudgy.
• Use unsalted butter- So that this dessert doesn't taste too salty. 
• All-purpose flour works best- And cannot be replaced with other flours or flour blends. 
• Use unsweetened cocoa powder- Otherwise your treats will be overly sweet.
• All ingredients should be at room temperature- To allow even mixing. 
• Ground coffee beans cannot be used- In place of espresso powder. They are two entirely different ingredients. 
• Use a sharp knife- To cut square shaped brownie slices nice and neat.

I used the Ninja Coffee Bar System with a built-in frother to prepare the brewed coffee in today's recipe. Honestly, hubby and I love this system, making all types of hot and cold caffeinated beverages. So far, we have made Iced Vanilla Latte, Homemade Mocha Latte, Homemade Caramel Latte, Homemade Gingerbread Latte, Homemade Eggnog Latte, frappuccino, macchiato, cappuccino and so much more. That frother is seriously the most incredible thing ever! Now, you can have the same froth and flavor in your coffee that you could previously only get from your favorite coffee shops. Honestly, I had another coffee maker in my kitchen, which is now sitting in the basement because I love this one. I am even getting this for my sister's birthday (who is hopefully not reading this post).

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Room temperature- These can be left in a container for 2-3 days on the counter.
• Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze- Store in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• Make ahead instructions- These brownies can be made up to 3 days a head of time and placed in a sealed container in the fridge. You can also freeze the unglazed brownies for up to 1 month. Then thaw, glaze, and enjoy!

More coffee desserts

• Coffee Cookies (Espresso Mocha Cookies)
• Easy Coffee Pancakes (With Mocha Sauce/Syrup)
• Coffee Truffles (Mocha Espresso Truffles)
• Coffee Fudge (Espresso Fudge)
• No Bake Coffee Cheesecake (Mocha)
• Coffee Smoothie (Mocha Smoothie)
• Coffee Cupcakes (Mocha Cupcakes)

Recipe