This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A fudgy brownie that tastes just like Starbucks Espresso Brownies! These soft and chewy brownies are loaded with real, ground espresso to give you that jolt of caffeine!
Rich, dense, extra fudgy espresso brownies.
I’ve got these brownies all up in your face because it’s Friday and the only thing that makes the end of the workweek better is brownies loaded with REAL ground espresso and tons of chocolate. We’re talking melted bittersweet chocolate all up in your brownies business. Cocoa powder is great, but exceptional brownies are made with lots of freshly melted chocolate.
My espresso brownies are low maintenance. As in there are just 7 simple ingredients involved. 7 ingredients, 1 mixing bowl, and 1 baking dish are all you need to make the fudgiest brownies on the block.
I can’t stop talking about these brownies! As in, I’ve pretty much called everyone I know and told them that I’ve officially gone bonkers for brownies that have espresso in them. They are thick, FUDGY, and super chocolatey with lots of sophistication because as I too quickly approach the big 3-0, I prefer to enjoy the same treats from my childhood but maybe in a little more adult form. And the ground espresso does just that. Lots of bold, rich coffee flavor. And you know that coffee and chocolate are made for each other.
ALL good great brownie recipes start with good quality chocolate, you don’t want to use anything that you wouldn’t want to eat. I like Ghirardelli, but if I’m really in the mood to splurge, Scharffen Berger is the way to go. Also, BUTTER. Because sure, brownies made with oil are still brownies but brownies made with real, crackling 100% butter makes all the difference.
Also, I’m gonna just say it. I made 9 generous sized pieces of these espresso brownies and I had a super hard time sharing. ? As in I almost, kinda wanted to hide in my room with a whole batch of these and just EAT overindulge. Brownie hoarder?
Why yes, yes I am.
Real, ground espresso goes into these espresso brownies. After tons and tons of recipe testing, I’ve finally cracked the code on Starbucks’ now discontinued, Espresso Brownies. I can’t quite remember, but I think they came topped with a rich and thick fudge icing. But kids, this, absolutely does not need it. It all started with espresso powder during the testing phase. But the texture and the oomph of rich caffeine just wasn’t there. I will say though that these brownies do have a little bit of texture to them because of the ground espresso, so if you’re making these for someone who doesn’t LOVE coffee, you may want to use a different recipe.
Crackly top espresso brownies, loaded with real espresso flavor. They’re sweet, slightly salty, and completely sophisticated. In fact, would you mind if I replaced my morning french pressed coffee with a brownie? Can you say, perfect?
All you need is a big dollop of vanilla ice cream to top on these babies when they come hot and fresh out of the oven.
Go ahead, I won’t, and have no right to judge.
Starbucks Copycat Espresso Brownies
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter see notes
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped into pieces
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼- ½ cup ground espresso see notes
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- PREP: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8x8 square baking dish with cooking spray, set aside.
- MELT: Fill a medium saucepan halfway full with water and heat over medium heat. Place a glass bowl over the saucepan so that it rests in the saucepan without touching the water. Add the butter and chocolate and allow it to melt completely. Remove from heat. Stir in the sugar and espresso grounds and continue to mix until the sugar is completely mixed. Add the eggs, one at a time, waiting until each is incorporated before adding in the next. Add the cocoa powder along with the flour and mix until *JUST* incorporated. Do not overmix.
- BAKE: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top. Bake the brownies for 30-38 minutes. I baked mine for 35 minutes exactly and they were slightly underdone and extra fudgy, which is exactly how we like them. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before removing from the baking dish. Serve warm.
Notes
- If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- I purchase whole espresso beans and then grind them on the 'espresso' setting of the grocery store coffee grinders. If this is the first time you're making these brownies, I suggest using 1/4 cup of ground espresso. I use a ½ cup but it does add a bit of texture to the brownies
Like This? Leave a comment & rating below!
*Please note: the nutritional facts calculated are an estimate based on the ingredients i’ve used. If you’d like a more accurate count, please calculate them using the ingredients/brands you’ve used. The nutritional facts are for 1 /12th of the recipe.
Love these brownies!, probably best I’ve had. So easy to make. All the good things in them! Thanks so much.
Hi – the recipe looks delicious. Can it be doubled into a 9 x 13 pan? Will anything change, including the baking time? Thanks.
Hello 🙂 thank you for your recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
Do we need to let the melted chocolate and butter to cool first before adding in sugar and the coffee grounds?
Thank you.
I worked at Starbucks for 9 years, and I can definitively say that the espresso brownies DID NOT have any icing or topping of any kind. I can’t wait to make these. Great memories!
I don’t like coffee or espresso, however I have purchased a lot of Starbucks brownies, and I have never known of them to have expresso brownies.
Its a flavor they used to have. I havent seen them in the last 8 years or so though
Hello! I like brownies too. But I haven’t tried adding espresso powder in the recipe. After searching online, I can’t find famous espresso powder brands that people usually use to bake. The only thing I can find is ILLY Espresso 100% Arabica Ground Coffee and ILLY Medium Roast 100% Arabica Ground Coffee. Do you think one of these would work?
I loved this recipe, I’ve made it 2 times, and counting. delicious
Made them first time with 1/4 cup expresso powder no coffee flavor.
Made them the second time with just under 1/2 cup of expresso powder
and they were fantastic. 35 minute cooking time was also perfect.
These are AMAZING! Definitely a new favorite!! I added a scant 1/4 C of espresso powder and then stirred in 1/4 C. of Nestle espresso chips after adding the flour. Next time, I’ll add more espresso powder as they were just a hint of coffee flavor with the 1/4 C espresso powder.
If I reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup will the texture still okay?
Worked perfectly after I had found out what a tablespoon of butter was (answer: 14g) and decided that 6oz of chocolate probably was 6oz weight and not 6 fl.oz volume . Fantastic flavour and texture, thank you for posting it. I used ¼ cup coffee as suggested, probably increase that to ⅓ cup next time. Gave it 35 mins at 160°C fan, but should probably have taken them out after 34 mins.
Hi, I’m planning to make a Café Latte Brownies just to customize it from your recipe. Is there any tips? Thank you!
I made these last night and they’re a HUGE hit. So delicious. I used 1/4 cup of coffee grounds but I’m going to use more next time 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe
Can you stir in chocolate chips to this recipe
Yes, absolutely!
This recipe is amazing. Just like starbuck’s brownie. Make sure you are using good coffee because the coffee taste is super profound.
Don’t I need Baking Powder with this ?
Thank you
I thought the espresso was a bit too much. If I make them again, I will cut it at least in half. Good texture though!
Marzia – I love this brownie recipe. I have made three batches so far and plan on many, many more. Espresso Brownies were a hit around Central Illinois and I really just forgot about them until I saw this recipe on Pinterest.
I made some adaptations to the recipe you have here and I shared it on a blog post. I linked back to you and this original inspired recipe. The ingredients and methods are as you have them with a few slight variations – mostly for individual tastes. Love, love, love these.
Thanks for sharing.
Does this recipe work for High Altitude as well?
I’m not sure, Carolyn. I’d compare it to another high altitude recipe you may have used in the past and see how close it comes. Hope that helps!
Hello. About the expresso ground, it Can be stir directly with the sugar ? Or do i have to make a half cup coffee? Thanks you !!!! It looks so delicious.
That’s correct. The ground espresso goes in directly with the sugar.