I don’t use the expression “best-ever” often. It’s a weighty pronouncement to make, especially when it comes to brownies. I will say this: if you like fudgy brownies and have a weakness for espresso-flavored desserts, then these are the best-ever espresso brownies. Are you headed to the kitchen yet?
When you add instant espresso and chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans to the fudgiest brownie of all time, you’ll find yourself on the path to brownie nirvana. Add a layer of espresso frosting and you’ll reach espresso bliss. You also may find yourself slightly more caffeinated in the process!
Espresso Brownies
Brownie Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp instant espresso
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
3/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp chocolate-covered espresso beans, finely chopped
Frosting
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp low-fat milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp instant espresso
Unsweetened cocoa, for dusting
12 chocolate-covered espresso beans, halved
Preheat oven to 325°F and line a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with 1 sheet of parchment paper, allowing 2 inches to hang over each end. Place butter, sugar, cocoa powder, espresso, and salt in a large bowl and stir the mixture until combined – the texture will appear granular at this point. Stir in vanilla; add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each one. When the batter is thick and shiny, add the flour and stir until completely incorporated, then beat briskly for 40 more strokes. Fold in espresso beans. Spread batter evenly in lined pan.
Bake for 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly moist with batter. Cool completely on a wire rack (chill 20 minutes in the freezer to speed cooling). For the frosting, beat butter and cream cheese in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Combine milk, vanilla, and espresso in a small ramekin, stirring to combine. Add to butter mixture and beat on medium speed until airy. Spread evenly over brownie layer with an offset spatula. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
When ready to serve, lift up the ends of the parchment and transfer the brownies to a cutting board; cut into squares using a sharp knife. Dust brownies with cocoa and top with a halved espresso bean. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Yield – 24 brownies (serving size: 1 brownie)
Calories – 165
Carbs – 21
I almost always add espresso powder to brownies. It makes them so rich and heavenly! These are amazing.
yes and yes. now that it is finally baking season again, yes!
I adore these, Laura! Couldn’t wait to see them after the IG teaser this weekend. I love coffee & espresso flavor in desserts, it’s one of my favorites!
Yummy… they look really tasty, Laura.
Laura, I AM headed into the kitchen to make these!! You’ve completely sold me :-)
Espresso-cream cheese frosting and espresso brownies!? Oh, yes, please!!
Mmmm, delicious bites, Laura, specially those chocolate-covered coffee beans. Perfect to have with a huge cappuccino.
I like the idea of making a big cake out of this recipe, would be great! :-)
Oh, I like your thinking Helena :).
You know what Laura, I think these are THE BEST brownies! I love espresso – flavor and aroma, and that in brownies? Oh my, I think it sounds so heavenly!! I need caffeine all day long to keep up with my kids. I’d drink espresso and eat your brownies. If you see someone hyper on the street, that’s me! ;)
Oh Yummy!! I wish I could head into the kitchen and bake up a batch of your espresso brownies but I need to run out and pick up a bag of the chocolate covered espresso beans but no worries- I know right where to find them;-)
WOW! Talk about a delicious brownie! This just isn’t right!!
I want an espresso jolt with one of these amazing looking brownies right now! …and adding the frosting, WOW! – makes them incredible! Love your new espresso maker in the photos!
HOLY COW! these photos are incredible!! (Plus the brownies, my mouth is POURING with drool).
oh gosh these sound absolutely amazing!
Whoa, do these look magnificent! And I love that they’re topped with a beautiful layer of cream cheese icing…swooning here :)
I don’t like coffee but love chocolate so could probably stomach these for the sake of the chocolate.
Laura these brownies look really delicious! Brownies are just one of these comfort foods you can’t do without :)
What a great afternoon snack! Chocolate and espresso are such a splendid combination. The frosting is just radiant! A terrific brownie!
I made brownies this weekend…..now I need to make more! I have a feeling it is totally okay to call them Best-Ever! Love the frosting too, so beautiful! Hugs, Terra
I agree on your statement about “best ever” comments. I rarely, almost never, make claims to such. If I ever do, I usually qualify it – “these are the best ever brownies I’ve baked this year” etc. etc. LOL.
Your brownies look terrific! When I doze off tonight, guess what I’ll be dreaming of eating in la-la-land? You bet! These brownies!
The brownies look fabulous, Laura but its the cream cheese glaze that makes these “best ever” brownies the BEST! I love glazed brownies and the dust of cocoa – Mmmm.
I’m such a sucker for espresso-type desserts so yes, I am heading to the kitchen to make these ASAP!
Divine! Those brownies must be so irresistible.
Like you, I am very cautious when using the words “best ever”…
Cheers,
Rosa
What lovely brownies. I could be lured to do just about anything for a bite of one of these. :)
I don’t drink any coffee, but for these brownies I might as well brew some!
Probably one of my favorite combinations, especially in a brownie. They look so incredible! Wonderful recipe
Great brownies! I love that you use chopped chocolate covered espresso beans!
they look awesome and I love dense, rich, ultra fudgy, ultra dark brownies and these look like they’d be perfect for me! and with the espresso too!
I love these! Brownies and coffee is paradise!
My husband’s two favorite foods are chocolate and coffee. I have to bookmark these and make them for his next birthday!
I love brownies – they are my all time favorite dessert!
Wow, Laura, these look so amazing – elegant and decadent! I’ve never tried espresso in my brownies before, but it makes utter sense!
I don’t drink a lot of coffee but I have a serious love for coffee flavoured things! I know, it doesn’t make sense :P I’d love these!
If a recipe is titled “best-ever”, I’m very inclined to test it out;)Your brownies look divine:)I’m all about coffee flavor and this is the perfect little afternoon treat (w/a cup of coffee;)xx
Can I have seven please?
Dear Laura…i have to say that these are the best ever just because you used espresso!:) I love how you made them and how they look…very delicious that is! It would be very very hard for me to pass these!
These DO look like the absolute perfect brownie texture! Love your photos!
Laura I love this brownies, maybe because my first love is coffee :) very nice pictures as well.
OMG – these look simply evil, in a good way and I need to make them ASAP! Delish!!! Pinning now.
Oh man, I could just destroy the whole platter. Would love with some black coffee, swoon!
Hi laura,
Those brownies look insanely good. Chocolate and coffee is the best combination ever. I love the expresso in this. I feel like grabbing one, right away!
Oh my goodness, these are everything I need w/ my coffee right now.
Oh, I bet these are to-die-for good. Espresso and chocolate together are heavenly. I want these brownies now. :)
Nothing can beat these gorgeous beauties…..
I cannot resist the combo of chocolate + coffee! It is a match made in heaven. :) These brownies look wonderful!
I adore the coffee-chocolate combo so these really do sound like the best brownies ever! Gorgeous. Bookmarked!
I do love fudgy brownies. Adding a frosting and chocolate covered espresso beans just really puts these over the top!
These definitely look like the best-ever brownies! I definitely have a weakness for espresso flavored desserts so I just might need to brew some espresso and give these a try! :)
Simply my favorite combo every; chocolate and espresso. I’ve done them in many variations for brownies but have never added those adorable espresso beans and I have some now in the cupboard. I would just have to remember not to eat them at night…or I would have to call you at 3am when I couldn’t sleep. Deal? :)
Somehow I missed my ride to brownie nirvana but happy you shared the easy way to get there!
These brownies look to die for Laura!
These look totally insane. Crah.Zey. I want one pronto!