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Coffee and Cream Brownies

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Coffee and cream brownies are the perfect combination of rich gooey chocolate brownies and creamy coffee buttercream. They are topped with a fudgy glaze to really make them over the top good.

Two brownies with layers of coffee buttercream and ganache on top stacked and ready to eat.

If you love coffee and chocolate, this is the dessert for you. They start with a simple recipe for homemade brownies and are topped with a creamy coffee frosting and ganache for a lovely treat that is sure to win you over.

Coffee and chocolate are just meant to go together. Adding a little bit of coffee to a chocolate recipe really brings out the rich chocolate flavor.

Or having a cup of coffee with a rich chocolate dessert helps to cut through that richness and allows you to have another bite. But in this case the coffee isn’t just a vehicle to help the chocolate shine, it is its own layer and a star of the show.

Coffee and cream brownie with layers of frosting on wood cutting board with chocolate chips and coffee powder.

I know you all like coffee in your desserts because the recipe for coffee and cream sponge cake has been wildly popular. It has a coffee infused sponge cake wrapped in mocha whipped cream and is a perfect dessert for people who think regular cake and American buttercream is too sweet.

This recipe takes the coffee and cream flavors into a bit richer territory. And it has three beautiful layers of flavor that allow you to enjoy them first with your eyes.

But don’t worry, they aren’t just made to be looked at. The real joy comes with that first bite, that is when these brownies really shine!

(If you love coffee flavored desserts, you should check out the recipe for coffee pound cake as well!)

Making the brownies

This recipe starts with a layer of homemade brownies. Making brownies from scratch is actually really quite easy.

For this version, we melt unsweetened chocolate and butter in the microwave and then add kitchen staples to turn it into a really quick and simple batter.

Brownie ingredients measured and ready to go.

If you are like me, you don’t always stock squares of unsweetened chocolate in the pantry. So if your sweet tooth is bothering you and you need alternatives, don’t despair.

First, you could always use a mix if you have one. Any batch of 8×8 brownies will do.

Or, if you have cocoa powder in your pantry, you could whip up a batch of our favorite cocoa powder brownies. We like that recipe because it is made with ingredients we always have around.

Pan of coffee and cream brownies with spatula, ready to serve.

Really there are no tricks to making great brownies because they are so simple to do. The only key here would be a good bake.

We love a good gooey brownie, but in this case you are going to want them baked enough to be able to cut into good squares and served. So make sure they are set and cooled completely before you move on to the buttercream layer.

Coffee and cream buttercream

The next layer in these beauties is a bit of coffee and cream buttercream. It is another really simple thing to make, but is really the star of the show!

Dissolve some instant coffee into cream. Then beat together a little bit of butter and powdered sugar.

Add the coffee and cream and whip until smooth and creamy. Then spread over your cooled brownies.

Put the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for a bit to set. That way the frosting is solid and chilled when you put the melted chocolate on.

That is what will keep your layers distinct. Pouring the warm chocolate over room temperature buttercream runs the risk of melting the frosting and muddling the layers.

There are some easy substitutions you can make in this layer as well. If you don’t have instant coffee, and espresso powder would also work.

Coffee extract would also do in a pinch if you happen to have that on hand. You can adjust the coffee flavor to your preference and proceed with the recipe.

If you don’t have heavy cream, milk will also work. Just start with a couple of teaspoons and add more as necessary to get your desired frosting consistency.

Chocolate glaze

The final layer of these decadent brownies is the chocolate glaze. Just melt chocolate chips and heavy cream together in the microwave.

The key here is to not overheat the chocolate, you don’t want it to seize. So do twenty to thirty second bursts in the microwave and stir well after each one.

As soon as you are able to stir the chocolate smooth, stop. Allow it to cool just a bit and then pour it over the chilled buttercream.

Dollops of warm chocolate ganache on top of coffee buttercream topped brownies, ready to be spread out.

Smooth the chocolate glaze out with a knife or offset spatula and allow it to set up. Now you are ready to serve your brownies!

If you don’t have heavy cream, you can also use butter in this step. It will melt with the chips and give you a nice smooth rich finish.

More fun brownie recipes

If you like to try different variations on brownie treats, we have more great ideas for you. So work your way through the list and let us know which ones are your favorite.

If layers are your thing, layered monster brownies might be up your alley. They are baked on a graham cracker base and have peanut butter and candies on top for a really fun finish.

Close stack of coffee and cream brownies with layers of brownie, coffee frosting and ganache with bite missing from a corner.

If sweet tart is more your thing, give Amy’s rhubarb brownies a go. They have bits of tart rhubarb in them that look like little gems sprinkled throughout.

Or start with a cake mix and add caramel and pecans to make rich gooey cake mix turtle bars. The recipe came from my great-aunt and it tastes delicious!

A batch of layered Oreo brownies sounds good too. They have the favorite sandwich cookies baked right in.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Two brownies with layers of coffee buttercream and ganache on top stacked and ready to eat.

Coffee and Cream Brownies

Carlee
Coffee and cream brownies are the perfect combination of rich gooey chocolate brownies and creamy coffee buttercream. They are topped with a fudgy glaze to really make them over the top good.
4.92 from 25 ratings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Brownies & Blondies
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Small Brownies
Calories 282 kcal

Ingredients
 

Brownies

  • ½ cup butter
  • 4 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Filling

  • 1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • 2 Tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Glaze

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
 

Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, microwave butter and chocolate at 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
    1/2 cup butter, 4 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Slowly stir in chocolate mixture.
    2 eggs, 3/4 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Combine flour and baking soda in a small bowl and gradually add to chocolate mixture. Stir until fully combined.
    2/3 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pour batter into baking dish and bake 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean from center. Cool completely before adding filling.

Coffee Buttercream

  • Mix together coffee and whipping cream. Set aside.
    1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  • Cream together butter and powdered sugar. Add whipping cream mixture and beat until smooth and creamy.
    2 Tablespoons butter, 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Spread onto cooled brownie. Place in refrigerator to set.

Glaze

  • Put chocolate chips and cream in microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals until it can just be stirred smooth.
    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Allow to cool for a couple of minutes and then spread over chilled buttercream.
  • Let sit at room temperature or place in refrigerator until completely set before serving.

Notes

These brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 110mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24g
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Recipe Rating




Sandy Rees

Friday 10th of September 2021

Wow Carlee. They look sooo good

Carlee

Friday 10th of September 2021

Thank you!

Andrea Nine

Friday 10th of September 2021

Sign me up for these right now! Oh that filling! Have the BEST weekend.

Carlee

Friday 10th of September 2021

Head this way and I'll make another batch!