Holiday Espresso Brownies with Coffee Buttercream

These holiday brownies will be the hit of your Christmas gathering!

Coffee lovers rejoice, this one is for you.

Plus there is a fun giveaway to boot.

This post is sponsored by Ross Street Roasting Company.

Remember circa 2013 when I didn't drink coffee?

I do.  I've chatted about this before so bare with me....but I grew up around coffee {both of my parents drink it daily} it just never stuck with me.  Even after having two kids in two years! For whatever reason, it never appealed to me and I just carried on through life.

After my third child in 2014 I started dabbling in cappuccinos {really, I'm sure this was a survival tactic with now three kids under the age of 5} and now I'm drinking it daily.  It was a quick turn around.

Today I often prep my coffee at night before bed and dream about it in my sleep.  Call me the crazy coffee lady.  I'm not sure why I waiting so long in life to enjoy that hot cup of joe.

A couple years back a little birdie told me my small hometown {population 5,000+} had a new coffee company starting up.  My first thought was....what?  Is that real?

Guess what.  It was real.  

Ross Street Roasting Company was founded in 2015. I started following them on social media, which lead to me trying their coffee, which lead to some partnerships, which then lead to a coffee subscription that is delivered to me every three weeks.  Best subscription I've ever paid for.

Founder and coffee roaster Brian and I have gone back and forth so many times over the past couple years - I love, love, love supporting small businesses.  Especially one that is near and dear to where I grew up.

And this is where this holiday brownie idea came two fold.

Have you ever made a homemade brownie?

From scratch?

It's super, duper easy.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I am not above a boxed mix.  They are great and have saved my butt many times when I need to whip up a quick dessert.

But brownies from scratch......they are HEAVENLY.

And brownies infused with deep, rich espresso are pretty much better than everything I have every made.  I put espresso {or just a simple, dark strong coffee - don't make this complicated} in the batter and in the buttercream, plus I added Nestle espresso baking chips.

Triple espresso folks.

These brownies, are fudgy and rich and decadent.  Alone they are brillant.  Add in that homemade buttercream?

Drop dead amazing.

I "holiday-ed" these up a bit too with red and green sprinkles.  I took some extras {there are always extras coming from my house - it's good to be my friend} to a few friends and one exclaimed, "it's like Christmas on a plate!"

She was right.  Receiving a platter of these brownies at the holidays will bring anyone a smile.

You'll notice in this recipe I divided up the batter into two 8x8 baking dishes.  Yes, you could put the batter in just one 9x13 larger pan, but I love dividing these up.  One to keep for your family, one to share with someone else.

The holidays are about sharing.  If you are not giving something homemade to a special person in your life this holiday season you should be! Heck, drop off a plate of these to the administrative assistants at your kid's school or prehaps your chiro's office staff.

I love seeing people light up when they receive homemade food {especially desserts} this time of year.

Lastly, let's chat about the espresso in this recipe.

LET'S NOT FREAK OUT, mmm-k?

If you simply have a Keurig or an off brand cheap coffee maker at home you can still make these brownies.  Yes, I used special equipment to make the best and strongest coffee I could, but do not fear, it doesn't matter.  Will you get the best quality brownie if you go my route?  Probably so, but if you don't you'll still have a damn good coffee infused brownie.

Ross Street Roasting Company graciously sent me the Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder and the AeroPress Single-Serve Coffee Maker to use in this recipe.  Both products are AWESOME.  Grinding your own coffee beans is ideal {it will allow the natural oils from the beans to release} and making a very strong cup of coffee or espresso using a press is also great....but again don't fret if you can't.

Saying this if you are INTO strong coffee and like to bake with it, they yes, invest in these two products.  They are awesome.

I cannot wait to see you make these brownies!  Put them on a platter and share with all your friends and family this holiday season.

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Now, guess what?  We aren't finished yet.

Ross Street Roasting Company has graciously agreed to gift ONE winner an AeroPress Single-Serve Coffee Maker + a bag of their premium coffee beans.  Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway icon below.  U.S. entries only please.  One winner will randomly be chosen on Wednesday, November 27.  Good luck!

A special thanks to Ross Street Roasting Company for sponsoring this post.

Holiday Espresso Brownies with Coffee Buttercream

Yield: 18

Author: Ally

What a wonderful treat for the holidays! These rich, dark coffee infused brownies need to grace your dessert platter this season. A decadent buttercream tops them off - don't forget the sprinkles!

ingredients:

For the Brownies

• 8 T butter
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 T espresso or highly strong brewed coffee
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup espresso chips

For the Coffee Buttercream

• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 3-4 T espresso or highly strong brewed coffee
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• holiday sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

How to bake Holiday Espresso Brownies with Coffee Buttercream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line two 8x8 baking pans with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the sides of the pan (this will allow for easy removal of the brownies after baking).  Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.
2. In a saucepan over low heat melt the butter.  Once melted whisk in the cocoa powder and espresso.
3. Transfer this mixture to your mixing bowl (or a stand mixer) and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
4. Gently beat in the eggs, sugars, salt and milk.  Once combined, sift in the flour.  The batter will be thick.
5. Divide the batter into the two baking pans.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Allow the brownies to cool completely.
6. Once the brownies are cool, start making the buttercream.
7. Add the butter to your mixing bowl and cream together until light and airy.  Gently add in the espresso.  Sift in the powdered sugar and cream together until smooth.
8. Taste the buttercream and if you want a stronger coffee flavor, add in 1 tablespoon of espresso at a time until you reach your desired flavor.

NOTES:

WAYS TO MAKE ESPRESSO depending on which equipment you have in your home: 1) If you have no special equipment simply brew the strongest cup of coffee you can in your coffeemaker at home. 2) Use a coffee grinder (like this one) to get the most out of your coffee beans. When you grind your own coffee beans the aroma is even more apparent as the natural oils are released from the beans during the grinding process. Plus it smells great! 3) use an AeroPress Coffee Maker to brew a very strong cup of coffee (this is done by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans).

Coffee Gadgets:

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

Baratza Encore - Electric Conical Burr Grinder

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sweetsavoryeats on instagram and hashtag it #espressobrownies

Created using The Recipes Generator

a Rafflecopter giveaway