Rich, fudgy, coffee-kissed bliss
If you love coffee and chocolate together, these frosted coffee brownies are about to become your new favorite dessert. Deep, fudgy brownies are infused with bold coffee flavor, then topped with a smooth, creamy coffee frosting that melts right into every bite. They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, holidays, or a cozy night in when you want something extra indulgent without complicated steps. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and a bakery-style finish make this recipe a Pinterest-worthy treat you’ll want to save, bake, and share again and again.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 12–16 brownies
📝 Ingredients
Brownies
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Coffee Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream (as needed)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Offset spatula or butter knife (for frosting)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, dissolve coffee powder in hot water ☕
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until glossy.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well. Stir in coffee mixture and vanilla.
- Gently fold in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until just combined. Batter will be thick and fudgy 🍫
- Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly soft.
- Cool brownies completely before frosting.
Frosting:
8. Beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, coffee mixture, vanilla, and milk.
9. Beat until smooth and spreadable. Frost cooled brownies evenly ✨
10. Slice, serve, and enjoy 😊
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra bold coffee flavor: Add an extra ½ teaspoon espresso powder to the batter.
- Ultra-fudgy texture: Slightly underbake and cool completely before slicing.
- Clean cuts: Chill brownies for 20 minutes before slicing.
- Storage: Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.