Chocolate Espresso Brownies

Often times here in Italy when you order a caffè you get a lovely shot of espresso. I usually order a caffè doppio (double shot) and always enjoy the piece of dark chocolate that is sometimes accompanied with the coffee. This recipe combines the two to create a brownie any dark chocolate lover would enjoy.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan

1/2 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/4 cup natural cocoa powder
1 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons brewed espresso or extra-strong brewed coffee, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 350° F.

Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with 2 crisscrossed pieces of parchment, buttering in between the pieces to help them stick and leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter the top of the parchment.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.

Combine the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. Let cool slightly.

Whisk in the sugars, eggs, espresso, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the bittersweet chocolate.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.

Let cool completely in the pan.

Holding the paper overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares. 

Recipe via Real Simple Magazine, September 2014

Nicole Olea

Nicole Olea’s love language is communication. She does this best using her keyboard as a freelance copywriter and editor. Creative and resilient with high-level experience in social media management, content creation, and eCommerce marketing, Nicole Olea was a professional volunteer, sharing her skills with various non-profit organizations who paid her in hugs. For the last 20 years, she’s lived a quasi-nomadic life, moving across the country and the Atlantic with her active-duty husband and their three kids. She’s awkwardly stumbling toward her goal of becoming a saint. She’s got God-sized dreams and wants you to have them too!