I’ve got your next baking project, and it’s these chewy chocolate espresso cookies! These are easy to make, quick to bake, delicious, and they will make your whole kitchen smell like a chocolate factory.
What I love about these espresso cookies is they have that perfect cookie texture; soft and almost gooey at the very center but a slightly crispy diameter
Related: The Best Cookie Recipes
And as an avid coffee lover, these have such a fun flavor profile as they mostly taste ultra chocolate-y (think velvet chocolate) and a little bit like coffee too.
What Does Espresso Powder Do in Cookies?
Espresso powder is sometimes added to chocolate baked goods (chocolate cookies, chocolate cake, etc.) to enhance the chocolate flavor.
It both brings it out and adds a depth to the final flavor. It’s a great trick to have up your baking sleeve, so if you are on the fence about buying espresso powder, it won’t go to waste if you enjoy baking.
Can I Use Instant Coffee Instead of Espresso Powder?
While they are not exactly the same thing, you can substitute them in this recipe if needed. But I prefer the flavor of espresso powder.
And like I said, it’s useful for all sorts of baking projects, so it doesn’t have to go to waste if that’s your concern.
There are lots of different brands of espresso powder, but I like this one from King Arthur. But any espresso powder you can find at whatever grocery store you shop will likely work just fine.
If you’re unsure where to look, I normally see this in the coffee/tea area of the store, but it could also be among the baking ingredients.
For these espresso cookies, I like to use chopped dark chocolate instead of chocolate chips because I like how the texture is a little different (and the chocolate gets more distributed throughout each cookie).
But, if you want to use chocolate chips instead, that’s OK, they will still be delicious.
I also like to top these with some melted chocolate and flaky sea salt. This is totally optional, but I think it adds a kind of bakery feel to these.
Plus, it makes them just a little prettier—otherwise they are pretty plain looking. They will be tasty either way, but if you’re making these to gift you might want to dress them up a little, so that’s what I’d recommend.
If you’re looking for more chocolate-centered baking projects:
- Oversized Soft-Center Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
- Rocky Road Cookies
- Chocolate Snowcap Mountain Cookies
- Chocolate Baked Donuts
- Chocolate Chip Quick Bread
- My Favorite Chocolate Cake
If you make these espresso cookies, let me know how it goes! You can leave a comment below, or if you share it on social media, tag us so I can see. xo. Emma
Be sure to check out my Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies if you love this recipe!
And if you love espresso, here’s an Easy Espresso Martini recipe.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- ½ cup white sugar (granulated)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3.5 ounces dark chocolate (chopped)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugars.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and egg until combined.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients and stir until a thick batter forms.
- Stir in the chopped dark chocolate.
- Spoon onto a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper. Top with flaky sea salt if using.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-9 minutes. Allow to cool on baking pan before moving to a cooling rack.
- Optional: Drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the cooled cookies and allow to set.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
My husband made these yesterday and they are DIVINE!
these cookies were delicious! I added a 1/4 cup of espresso powder because i like it stronger and i chilled the dough overnight then baked them they came out super moist and delicious
This cookie was a complete fail for me. They were completely mush even with a longer baking time.
I chilled the dough overnight and that helps keep the shape try that next time!
Great texture and good instructions. Next time I will add at least extra teaspoon of espresso powder. I like intensity and as written the espresso blended in a little too well with the chocolate. I want it to bite me! Thank you for the recipe.
Thanks for the recipe!
I’m in Australia and have never seen espresso powder. Typically though I have fresh coffee beans and coffee grinder. Is espresso powder the same as fine ground coffee beans, such as what’s used for Turkish/Greek coffee?
Espresso powder is very finely ground espresso beans, so if you were able to very finely ground the coffee I think that would work fine. If not, I’d try instant coffee granules instead if that’s more common for you to find?
These are just wonderful and my morning coffee group absolutly loves them ! Coffee and chocolate , how can you go wrong ? Two simple word’s ” YOU CAN’T ! ! ! ! Thank you so much ! ! ! !
Ooo I wonder if you could do real espresso. I own a coffee cart and I love our espresso. How fun!
OK— these look amazing. Need to try this recipe!!
Cannot wait to make these- combining cookies and coffee? Two of my favorite things!!!
Would be nice if you included a way to print.
Hi Mary! There’s a printable recipe card at the end of the post.