Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt
Dense, fudgy chocolate brownies elevated with a shot of espresso and sprinkled with flaky sea salt for a perfect balance. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, bittersweet chocolate, chopped, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for lifting.
- Step 2: In a medium heatproof bowl, combine 1 cup unsalted butter and 8 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate. Melt together over a pot of simmering water (double boiler) or in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth and glossy; let cool slightly.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 3 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until thick and pale, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Slowly pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly until combined.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tsp instant espresso powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 6: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet chocolate mixture using a spatula until no streaks remain.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Step 8: Sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the batter.
- Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly moist.
- Step 10: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into 24 bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Espresso-Infused Chocolate Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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