This 1-Ingredient Upgrade Makes the Best Brownies—No Matter the Recipe

A tray of gooey chocolate brownies never disappoints. The perfect brownie combines a dense and chewy center, a crackly top crust, and—most importantly—a rich, decadent chocolate flavor. While different recipes will produce different textures—are you team fudgy or team cakey?—there is one unexpected ingredient that is guaranteed to ensure the brownies taste fantastic. Even better, it's something you may already have in your kitchen cabinet: instant espresso powder.

Why Use Instant Espresso Powder

Have you ever bitten into a chocolate dessert and wondered why it doesn’t really taste very chocolatey? It might look like chocolate and smell like chocolate, but sometimes the flavor doesn’t match. Instant espresso powder is the secret ingredient for bringing out the best in anything made with chocolate. It has a similar flavor profile to chocolate, and when used in brownies, it works to intensify the cocoa and chocolate. Even people who prefer fruity desserts to chocolate ones will wonder what else they’ve been missing when they taste a batch of your brownies made with espresso. 

Does It Make Them Taste Like Coffee?

Don't worry; you can’t taste the espresso, and the small amount you add isn’t going to keep you up all night. Rather, it gives even the most decadent brownies added richness and heavier chocolate notes. It also helps cut the sweetness a little, which can be nice with sugary desserts like brownies. 

Using Brewed Espresso Powder Instead

We generally opt for espresso powder because it’s a quick thing to measure out and add to the brownie batter, and many people already have it in their pantries, but brewed espresso works in recipes that contain water.

Using brewed espresso is especially good for boxed mixes; swap in brewed espresso for the water and no one will guess how you upgraded the recipe—they'll be too busy enjoying the brownies!

How Much Espresso Powder to Add

The amount of espresso powder you add to a brownie recipe will depend on the size pan it’s baked in. The goal is to boost the chocolate flavor, not overpower it, so a little goes a long way.

• For an 8 or 9-inch square pan, use 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
• For a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan, use 1½ teaspoons.
  

Give it a try in one of our favorite brownie recipes; these Chewy Brownies are a classic. It will also work wonderfully to elevate the chocolatey flavor in these Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies.

Use It In Other Chocolate Desserts, Too

Brownies are just the tip of the iceberg. Espresso powder can be used to enhance all kinds of chocolate desserts, from cream pies and pudding pies to decadent mousse. The bold flavors of chocolate and espresso are a match made in heaven.