Frosted Coffee Brownies Recipe

Frosted Coffee Brownies Recipe

Introduction
Imagine pulling a pan of brownies from the oven and being greeted by a warm, deep chocolate aroma threaded with an unmistakable whisper of coffee — a scent that instantly lifts the spirits. The first bite gives you a tender, fudgy center with a slight crackle on top, followed by a silky coffee buttercream that mellows and brightens the chocolate. The contrast of rich cocoa and aromatic coffee creates a little moment of luxury in every forkful.

This recipe is perfect for a weekend treat when you want something indulgent to share, for cozy afternoons with friends, or for brightening up a holiday dessert table. It’s also a winner when you need a quick baked good that feels special: the batter is straightforward, the bake time is reasonable, and the frosting elevates it to something everyone remembers. If you love the comforting ritual of coffee paired with chocolate, these brownies are a small celebration in a square. For other quick, crowd-pleasing ideas, see this collection of simple no-bake treats. Explore no-bake recipes.

At a Glance

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus cooling time for frosting)
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour (including cooling and frosting)
• Servings: 12 squares
• Difficulty Level: Easy — great for confident beginners and busy home bakers

Nutrition Highlights
Estimated nutrition per serving (1 of 12 squares):

• Calories: ~304 kcal
• Protein: ~2.1 g
• Total Carbohydrates: ~41 g
  • Sugars: ~37 g
  • Dietary Fiber: ~2 g
• Total Fat: ~15 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~9 g
• Sodium: ~80 mg

Note: These values are estimates calculated from standard ingredient nutrition profiles (USDA FoodData Central and similar government nutrition databases) and may vary depending on brands and exact measurements used. For precise tracking, enter your specific ingredient brands into a nutrition calculator or refer to the USDA FoodData Central entries.

Why You’ll Love It

• Flavor & Texture Highlights: The coffee amplifies chocolate’s complexity, bringing a slightly toasted, aromatic lift to each square. The brownie crumb is fudgy rather than cakey, while the coffee frosting adds a creamy, slightly bittersweet counterpoint.
• Social & Comfort Appeal: These brownies are nostalgic and approachable — great for potlucks, office treats, or a quiet dessert after dinner. They invite conversation and offer a satisfying pairing with coffee or milk.
• Ease & Speed: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can have these from start to finish in about an hour, with most of that time hands-off while baking and cooling.

How to Make Frosted Coffee Brownies Recipe

Ingredients

• Brownies:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 stick unsalted butter (1 stick = 113 g)
  • 2 teaspoons coffee extract (or 1 tablespoon instant coffee)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Coffee Frosting:

  • 2–4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter (≈ 76 g)

Optional ingredients & substitutions

• For a deeper chocolate flavor: add 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or 2 tablespoons melted dark chocolate into the batter.
• To cut sweetness: reduce powdered sugar in frosting by 1/4 cup and add a pinch of fine sea salt.
• Coffee swap: use 2 tablespoons strong brewed espresso instead of instant coffee; reduce cream slightly if using liquid espresso.
• Vegan option: substitute butter with a vegan butter and use flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, chilled) — results will be less fudgy.
• Gluten-free: substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Method & Process (Step-by-step)

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch baking dish by coating it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper, followed by a light spray of non-stick spray.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Once melted, transfer the butter to a large mixing bowl.
3. To the bowl with the butter, add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, stirring until everything is thoroughly blended.
4. Gradually add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder to the wet ingredients, and mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and place it in the oven. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
6. Allow the brownies to cool completely before starting on the frosting.
7. For the frosting, dissolve the instant coffee granules in the heavy whipping cream and set aside.
8. In a separate bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it becomes light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined.
9. Slowly pour in 2 tablespoons of the coffee-infused cream and mix well. If needed, continue adding more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your preferred consistency.
10. Once the frosting is ready, generously spread it over the cooled brownies. Slice and serve to enjoy!

Practical tips

• Avoid overmixing: stir batter until combined; overbeating can produce cakier brownies.
• Check doneness early: start checking at 25 minutes if your oven runs hot—fudgy brownies should have a slightly soft center.
• Cool fully before frosting so the buttercream doesn’t melt.

Best Pairings

• Classic: a steaming mug of black coffee or espresso to echo the frosting’s flavor.
• Cozy: serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for contrast in temperature and texture.
• Tea time: pair with milk tea or a mild Earl Grey to balance richness.
• Portable snack: wrap cooled squares individually for school lunches, picnic boxes, or as a grab-and-go treat.
• For a grown-up twist: serve with a small glass of coffee liqueur or a cold brew on the side.

How to Store

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Refrigeration: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture — or warm briefly in the microwave (10–15 seconds).
• Freezer: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a couple of hours.

Insider Secrets

• Use high-quality cocoa and fresh instant coffee for the most pronounced, clean flavors — a modest upgrade here makes a big difference.
• For extra fudginess: replace 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons of espresso powder dissolved in the butter.
• Textural cue: the center will firm up as it cools. If your toothpick comes out with very wet batter, give it a few more minutes; if there are a few moist crumbs, it’s perfect.
• Frosting texture: if too stiff, add cream 1 tsp at a time; if too runny, add powdered sugar 1–2 tablespoons at a time.

Fun Flavor Ideas

• Salted Caramel Coffee Brownies: swirl 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce into the batter before baking and top with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
• Mocha Nut Crunch: fold 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans into the batter for crunch and toasty flavor.
• Orange Coffee Brownies: add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the batter and 1/4 teaspoon to the frosting for a bright citrus lift.
• Gluten-free & vegan: use a certified 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, vegan butter, and a flax egg mixture; reduce baking time slightly and check doneness earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?
A: Yes. If using brewed coffee or espresso, reduce the heavy cream slightly in the frosting to keep the consistency thick. Start with 1 tablespoon brewed coffee and adjust to taste.

Q: Why did my brownies turn out cakey?
A: Overmixing or too much flour will create a cakier texture. Measure flour accurately (spoon and level) and stir only until combined.

Q: Can I make the frosting ahead?
A: Yes — make the frosting up to 2 days ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and re-whip briefly before spreading.

Q: How do I reduce sugar without losing texture?
A: Reduce powdered sugar in the frosting by up to 20% and balance with a small pinch of salt; for batter, reduce granulated sugar by up to 1/4 cup but expect a slightly less fudgy result.

Q: Can I bake this in a 9×9 pan?
A: Yes. Baking time may be slightly shorter (watch closely at 25–30 minutes) because of the shallower depth.

Conclusion

If you love the cozy, comforting marriage of coffee and chocolate, these Frosted Coffee Brownies are a reliably delicious choice — easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly adaptable. Try the recipe, make it your own with one of the variations above, and share your results with friends and family.

For inspiration or another take on coffee-browned treats, see this classic variation: Frosted Coffee Brownies – Courtney’s Sweets, and for a warm, home-cooked rendition, check out this Southern-style version: Coffee Brownies With Coffee Frosting – Southern Plate.

Notes

• All links are provided for additional inspiration and are external recipe references. Enjoy baking, and don’t forget to tag your photo if you share these — I love seeing your versions! For another savory recipe to pair at gatherings, you might like this grilled chicken marinade guide. Try a grilled chicken marinade

Frosted Coffee Brownies

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• Author: recipesprintgmail-com
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 12 squares 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delicious fudgy brownies infused with coffee, topped with a silky coffee buttercream for an indulgent treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick unsalted butter (113g)
• 2 teaspoons coffee extract (or 1 tablespoon instant coffee)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2–4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (76g)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the melted butter and stir until blended.
4. Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder, mixing until smooth.
5. Spread the batter evenly in the baking dish and bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Allow brownies to cool completely.
7. Dissolve instant coffee granules in 2-4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and set aside.
8. In a separate bowl, beat unsalted butter until light and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar and mix well.
9. Slowly add the coffee-infused cream until reaching desired frosting consistency.
10. Spread frosting over cooled brownies, slice, and serve.

Notes

For variations, consider adding chocolate chips or reducing sugar in the frosting for a less sweet option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 304
• Sugar: 37g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg