You know how much I love my brownies.
I have a couple super good recipes that I tend to always fall back on…the brownies I grew up on, a recipe from Mom that’s moist and chocolatey and casual…and then a brownie that’s a bit more grown-up, all dark and dense, with a hint of coffee flavor. But when I was craving a buttery rich slab of mocha frosting over brownies, I knew I wanted to try a new-to-me brownies recipe.
Since our girls recently became enamored with Nigella, her cookbook has been on and off the bookshelf here. And her brownies particularly caught my eye…
These Brownies with Mocha Buttercream are everything I was looking for. The brownie base from Nigella is very different from the recipes I call my favorites, with an almost silky texture. It’s dark and dense and gooey, and stands just a bit taller than the regular brownie. I topped it off with a fantastic mocha flavored buttercream that’s been on my to-do list, which makes the brownies both fun and decadent. With a fancy little chocolate covered coffee bean, these squares are completely irresistible. It was fun to see my sister fall for these, and we put a nice little dent into this pan.
Do you like chocolate covered coffee beans as much as I do? For all you silly people who don’t, just pass yours to me, please!
Ingredients
- 1-2/3 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 13 oz. bittersweet chocolate
- 6 large eggs
- 1 T. pure vanilla extract
- 1-2/3 c. sugar
- 1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
- 1 T. espresso powder
- 1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 c. powdered sugar
- 1/4 c. heavy cream
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- chocolate covered espresso beans
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Fold a long piece of heavy foil into a 13" wide strip and fit it inside a 9" x 13" metal baking pan, leaving foil overhang on the 2 long sides. Spray the foil lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
Over medium-low heat, melt butter and chocolate together in a large heavy pan. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the vanilla and sugar. Measure the flour into another bowl and add the salt.
When the chocolate mixture has melted, let it cool a bit before beating in the eggs and sugar, and then the flour. Beat to combine smoothly and then scrape out of the saucepan into the lined pan. Bake for about 25 minutes. When it's ready, the top should look just a bit dried, leaving the middle still dark and dense and gooey. Take care to not overbake, which will result in a dry brownie. Remember that the brownies will continue to cook a bit as they cool. Cool completely.
In a small bowl, gently melt the chocolate in the microwave. Take care to not let it scorch. Add espresso powder and whisk briskly for 1 minute. Let cool.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter until creamy. At low speed, beat in the powdered sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat until fluffy, scraping down the side of the bowl, about 2 minutes longer. At low speed, beat in the cream, vanilla, and cinnamon, then gradually beat in the melted (cooled) chocolate. Scrape down the side of the bowl and the paddle, increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until light, 3 minutes longer. Using a wooden spoon, vigorously beat the buttercream for 30 seconds to deflate any air bubbles. Then spread buttercream evenly over the cooled brownie.
Cut brownies right in the pan. Or...to achieve nice clean cuts, gently lift the brownies out of the pan, using the foil as handles. Cut off the outer edge for really clean cuts, leaving about an 8'' x 12'' rectangle of brownie remaining. Then cut into 2'' x 2'' pieces, wiping the knife clean after each cut. Press a chocolate covered espresso bean into the butterceam, at the center of each cut brownie.
These brownies keep well refrigerated, and could easily be prepared the day before serving. Take brownies out of refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes prior to serving, to let the buttercream soften a bit.
Source
Brownies adapted from "Brownies" recipe in How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson. Mocha Buttercream from a farmgirl's dabbles.
These look so good, Brenda! Elegant, easy to make, delicious! What else could I ask for…except to have some right now!
Marly recently posted..Light and Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
Just look at that gorgeous buttercream! I may request these for my next birthday.
Cookin Canuck recently posted..Farro Salad Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach & Cashews
Those look *dreamy!*
I love Nigella, too! The way she writes just draws you right in!
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..Gnome Sweet Gnome
Wow!! I have been craving brownies this week and now I am definitely going to have to make some. These look amazing, Brenda. Love the buttercream!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Jalapeno-Cheddar Crackers
Brenda,
The thick slab of mocha frosting on top looks like it’s TO DIE FOR. I need a good excuse to make these, stat!
I love how clean and neat they look–perfect little bites of pure bliss!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Creamy Carrot and Leek Soup
Love the hint of cinnamon that you’ve given to your mocha buttercream. These look positively delightful !!
Those are so cute!
Angie @ Big Bear’s Wife recently posted..Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Vegetables #KraftFreshTake
Brownies and Buttercream. Hubba Hubba.
Paula – bell’alimento recently posted..Balsamic and Raisin Glazed Salmon
That looks SOOOOO good!!! I love the mocha buttercream… so smart!
Amanda recently posted..Bubbly Baby Cupcakes {Giveaway}
Brenda, Don’t you know I’m on a diet!! But I caved and made my momma’s texas sheet cake yesterday and now it’s screaming at me from the kitchen. Poo! I am a lover of chocolate covered espresso beans too. No sharing here. xoxox
Pretty sure this is the PERFECT brownie.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Waffle Wednesday: Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches
Honestly these are the most beautiful brownies I’ve seen in my life! And the mocha buttercream? Let’s just say this mama needs coffee in just about everything after last night – yikes!
Heather || Heather’s Dish recently posted..3-Ingredient Avocado Fudge
Mmm that buttercream looks unreal!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..New Orleans: Beignets, Girl Talk, and a Half Marathon
Don’t you all agree that Brenda needs to open her own bake shop! These brownies would be a “hot seller” as most everyone loves brownies and that Mocha Buttercream makes them the Pièce de résistance! And chocolate covered coffee beans are “the bomb”!
I’ve never tried a chocolate covered coffee bean but I absolutely love your buttercream to brownie ratio on this recipe.
Cat Davis – Food Family Finds recently posted..Flashback to Jamaica & Belgian Waffles with Bananas Foster Topping
Oh my, how delicious! Chocolate and coffee are always such a great pairing. Can’t wait to try this one.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme recently posted..1957 Brownies
Chocolate and coffee make for brownie heaven!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife recently posted..Our Favorite Links for 2/25/2013
Gorgeous brownies, I love the mocha buttercream!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..chocolate-mint sandwich cookies
These brownies look elegant enough to serve at a fancy dinner party. And that mocha buttercream is killing me!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry recently posted..Chocolate Banana Breakfast Cookies
Your brownies are absolutely beautiful! It’s like magic how you make them so even and perfect looking
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Soft Andes Mint Chip Cookies
Oh my gosh, you are killing me!
Amanda recently posted..The Best Sirloin Pork Roast
it just might be dangerous how easy and delicious these look Brenda!
TidyMom recently posted..St. Patricks Day Handmade | I’m Lovin It Features
Brenda – I absolutely love coffee and chocolate (ummm, not to mention buttercream, of course). What great treats these would be to serve at a party – so perfect and look delicate and rich. I have to watch myself around a bag of those chocolate covered coffee beans – I can devour them in no time flat. Something about that great crunch of the bean gets me every time!
Jess recently posted..Orange and Honey Polenta Cake
If the rich dense brownie did not get my attention your beautiful mocha buttercream certainly did and your perfectly cut brownies!
These look amazing! I love the addition of the mocha buttercream. I’m sure it makes the brownie taste even more decadent! Coming over from your FB page to invite you to our Foodie Friends Friday linky party on my blog! Would love for you to join us this week.
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