Homemade Brownies with Coffee are made with a delicious blend of chocolate and coffee that come together in the batter to make a rich, decadent brownie you're going to love!
Let me show you how easy it is to make another easy dessert for your family in only one bowl.
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I never realized how easy it was to make homemade brownies until I started my blog. Before blogging, I always made them from a box mix.
Looking for more brownie recipes? Try this recipe for White Chocolate Brownies, Brownie Mason Jar Recipe or my Homemade Peppermint Brownie Mix with free printable gift tags!
Table of Contents
- Homemade Brownies with Coffee in the Batter
- Can you add Coffee to Packaged Brownie Mix?
- How to Prepare the Pan for Baking
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed:
- Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Kitchen Tools Spotlight
- Baking Instructions
- Cutting Brownies without them Falling Apart
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Storing and Thawing Tips
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Homemade Brownies with Coffee in the Batter
Adding coffee to brownies enhances the chocolate flavor. Coffee brings out a more intense flavor in the chocolate which will result in a richer brownie.
It's perfectly okay to experiment with the amount of coffee you add to the brownie batter. Just be careful not to add too much as it will change the liquid ratio to dry mixture ratio.
For this recipe, it's best to use leftover coffee, however you can use fresh brewed coffee as well. Just allow it to cool before adding it to the batter.
Can you add Coffee to Packaged Brownie Mix?
Yes! Just don't add the water called for on the box label. In other words, replace the water with coffee and you have a delicious different flavor of brownies ready to serve to your family.
You can also add a tablespoon or two of instant coffee granules and use the water called for on the back of the box.
How to Prepare the Pan for Baking
I love using Parchment Baking Sheets for baking bar cookies and brownies. They make it so easy to remove the baked goods without sticking.
I also find them incredibly useful for lining loaf pans for pumpkin bread and other loaf bread recipes. To keep the parchment paper in place while filling the loaf pan, I use clips or even old clothespins.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
DOWAN Mixing Bowls, Ceramic Mixing Bowls for Kitchen, Colorful Vibrant Nesting Bowls for Cooking, Baking, Prepping, Serving, Salad, Housewarming Gift, Microwave Dishwasher Safe, 3.7/2/1 Qt, Set of 3
Ceramic Sugar and Creamer Set, Milk Carton Shaped White Cream Jug and Sugar Bowl with lidWilton Recipe Right Non-Stick 9-Inch Square Baking Pan with Lid, Set of 2Beasea Brownie Pan with Dividers, 2 Set All Edges Square Cupcake Brownie Pans 12 Mini Cavity Non Stick Baking Carbon Steel Bread Mold Small Edge 3x4 Individual Cutter Sheet Tray for Cake Cookie Oven
Main Ingredients Needed:
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- You can substitute espresso powder for brewed coffee in which will intensify the chocolate flavor without adding any liquid. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of espresso powder for every ¼ cup of coffee called for in the recipe.
- Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for some of the butter in the recipe, resulting in a slightly cakey texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Melt the butter, cocoa and coffee in the microwave. Then stir in the remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Carefully pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking dish lined with parchment paper. Make sure the batter is evenly spread throughout the pan, reaching all the corners and edges. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles and ensure a smooth top. Those parchment "handles" will make it a breeze to lift out the brownies once they're baked!
Kitchen Tools Spotlight
For this recipe I used an 11X7 baking pan. You can also bake these brownies in a 9X13 baking pan but the brownies will not be as thick.
Test to see if the brownies are baked all the way through is by using a Digital Meat Thermometer. The temperature for baked brownies should be 180°F.
Baking Instructions
Step 3: Bake the brownies in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
Cutting Brownies without them Falling Apart
Follow these easy tips, you’ll have perfect, evenly sliced brownies every time:
- After the brownies have baked, allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. But not on top of the stove, okay? The stove top is still warm from the heat of the oven.
- Remove the brownies from the pan using the overhang of parchment paper.
- Set on a baking rack or cutting board to cool completely before attempting to slice. Patience is key!
- The real secret to perfectly sliced brownies is to use either a serrated knife or a plastic knife!
- If you’re still finding it difficult to slice the brownies, dip the serrated or plastic knife in hot water first.
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Storing and Thawing Tips
Pantry: Before storing, let your brownies cool completely in the pan. This prevents condensation from forming and making them soggy. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Refrigerate for longer storage up to 7 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze your brownies for up to 3 months.
Thawing Tips: Place in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.
More Recipes to Love
📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Brownies with Coffee in the Batter
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cocoa powder unsweetened for baking
- ½ cup coffee day old
- 1 cup flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
- In a microwave safe bowl, add the coffee, butter and cocoa powder.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and melt on low in 30 second intervals until the butter is melted making sure you stir in between.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and add in the remaining ingredients.
- Stir well to combine.
- Pour the batter in an 11X7 baking pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
- Let cool slightly before cutting.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2012 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Rashidah says
This is a great, quick and easy brownie recipe! I was looking for ways to use up old ground coffee that I've been given as gifts, as I'm not much of a coffee drinker and don't have a coffee maker. So I just went old school and boiled some water in a pot, added coffee grounds, and then took the liquid off the top (minus the sludge at the bottom of the pot). . . I will admit that when I read "12 tablespoons of butter" I thought it was a typo! I couldn't bring myself to use that much butter in one small pan of brownies, so I just used one stick of butter (8 tablespoons) and upped the coffee to 3/4 cup and the vanilla to 2 teaspoons. It turned out flavorful and moist, and we didn't miss the extra butter. I will make these again. Thank you!
Lois says
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! I love how you found a creative way to use your coffee and adjusted the recipe to suit your taste—that’s exactly what baking at home is all about. I’m so glad the brownies still turned out flavorful and moist with your changes. Thanks for sharing your tips—I know other readers will find them helpful too!
Justin says
I found this recipe, doubled it and added 15 minutes in a Detroit pizza style blue steel pan. Topped with chocolate chips and it's incredible and rich.
Lois says
Thank you for the great comment and 5 star review!
Audrey Humaciu says
Mmm. Coffee really adds to chocolate. I could definitely go for brownies right now.
Thanks for partying with us on #TastyTuesdays
Charles Keys says
Hi Lois, These Brownies look scrumptious! Brownies and coffee in one package! your husband must have been in heaven! I love coffee anything. We will have to try these.
Sandy K.
Jacquelyn Stager says
Coffee and chocolate = two of my favorite things. Sounds really yummy, but there isn't any such thing as "old" coffee around here. She actually made the coffee weeks ago and stored it in the fridge I presume? Does it have to be "old" coffee?
Aunt B says
I'll bet these are delicious. Coffee and chocolate play so well together. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Elena says
Those look so yummy! I love brownies and coffee flavor!
cozycakescottage.com says
Oh boy, those look yummy! I love coffee with chocolate. Such a great pairing. I'll take your son's share! xxx ~Danielle