Korean Coffee Brownies
When it comes to brownies, people either fall into the chewy-fudgy camp or the cakey camp. The way I see it, if you want chocolate cake, you might as well make chocolate cake. These brownies are so dense and rich that you only need one square with a cold glass of milk, but you can also go all-out and top it with a scoop of any ice cream you like. Coffee brings out the best in chocolate, so I like to add Korean instant coffee, which comes in individual packets complete with creamer and sugar, to my brownies. This recipe is really quick and easy and only requires one mixing bowl and a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, so you have no excuse to buy boxed brownie mix ever again.
- Level: Easy
- Total: 2 hr 45 min (includes cooling time)
- Active: 30 min
- Yield: 16 squares
Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
4 ounces (113 grams) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
Three 3/8-ounce packets Korean instant coffee (36 grams or about 1/4 cup total)
1 1/2 cups (338 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup (122 grams) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter; line the bottom with parchment paper, cut to fit, and then grease the parchment.
- In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, heat the butter, chocolate and coffee, stirring occasionally, until the butter and chocolate have melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, beat in the sugar, vanilla and salt--the mixture will look grainy, but don't worry, it will come together later. Continuing with the spoon or spatula, beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour and cocoa powder and beat for a full minute.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 30 minutes if using a metal pan (a little longer for glass or ceramic), until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
- Set the pan on a wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 45 minutes. Run a thin knife around the sides of the pan, invert onto a large plate or cutting board, and peel off the parchment from the bottom of the released brownie. Flip back onto the rack to cool completely.
- Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 2-inch squares, using a sharp knife.
