Craving Starbuck's seasonal winter flavors out of season? Barista Brownie Cookies deliver all the flavor you are dreaming of in chewy, chocolate, cookie form!
My son spent his college winter break in Israel. The trip was organized to coincide with his break from classes. That was good timing. It was also scheduled (very coincidentally) with the period of time in which Starbucks promotes their peppermint beverages. This saddened my son, who loves their peppermint beverages, but not enough to make him stay home. That was a good decision. Upon his return through JFK airport in New York, he happily discovered that he had been misinformed about Starbucks, and that the promotion was still going on. Jet lagged, but with a grande non-fat peppermint latte in hand, he maneuvered the subsequent flight delays, ticket changes, mad dash to a different airport, sprint through security, and finally a safe flight home. A success due, no doubt, to the peppermint latte.
Those of us who are caffeine addicted, have favorite ways of consuming our caffeinated beverage. If you are uncomplicated (coffee with or without cream/milk/sugar) or make your own drink at home, life is simple. However, if you even occasionally order your drink in a coffee shop, you should learn how to talk to a barista. Baristas are talented multi-taskers with a language all their own. There are actually web sites dedicated to this subject. I’m not kidding. Just Google it. There are literally billions of possible variations on drink orders.
This Barista Brownie Cookie recipe enables you to channel your inner barista to create your own favorite chocolaty beverage in cookie form. I don’t know about billions of variations, but there are lots; from just gooey chocolate deliciousness to espresso kissed or peppermint laced. Just vary the flavoring and chips.
Using the basic recipe creates a Hot Chocolate Barista Brownie Cookie. I added mini marshmallows for authenticity, though it made the cookies kind of lumpy.
Upping the coffee flavor with espresso powder creates Espresso Mocha Barista Brownie Cookies.
And for my son, some peppermint extract and Andie’s peppermint baking chips (or any chopped up chocolate mint candies) provides year round Peppermint Espresso Barista Brownie Cookies.
Because I was making all three kinds at once, I drizzled a little melted mint, milk, or white chocolate over the cookies to be able to tell them apart. This looks pretty but it really isn’t necessary for these chewy, sweet brownie bites. Also, I use mini chocolate chips in the cookies because I like a more even distribution of chips. Regular size or chunks won’t give you the even distribution but will make up for that with pockets of gooey chocolate. Barista’s choice.
Barista Brownie Cookies will stay soft for up to 5 days, especially if stored with a slice of bread. This is a tip I’ve learned from people who send military care packages that can take weeks to arrive. Placing a slice of white bread on the top of a storage container or zip lock bag (separated from the cookies with a piece of wax paper) will help keep moist cookies moist. The bread dehydrates and the cookies maintain their fresh texture.
Barista Brownie Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken into small pieces
- 1 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into chunks
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ teaspoon baking powder I didn’t have a ⅓ measure so I used a heaping ¼ teaspoon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- VARIATIONS:
- Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookies: Use only ½ cup of mini chips or white chocolate chips for a creamy flavor and 1 cup of mini marshmallows. The 1 teaspoon of espresso powder only enhances the chocolate flavor and can’t be tasted in the cookies.
- Peppermint Espresso Brownie Cookies: add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract when adding the melted chocolate to the batter use ½ cup Andie’s mint baking chips and ½ cup mini chips. The teaspoon of espresso powder only enhances the chocolate flavor and can’t be tasted in the cookies.
- Espresso Chocolate Brownie Cookies: increase to 1 tablespoon of espresso powder.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of semisweet chips, and butter in a medium microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds, until melted. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar, and espresso powder at high speed for 3-6 minutes, until very thick.
- Beat in the melted chocolate.
- Stir in the flour mixture just until combined.
- Fold in additional 1 cup of semisweet chips. ( See below for barista variations)
- Refrigerate for about 15 minutes until batter is firm enough to scoop.
- Use large (2 tablespoon) cookie scoop (recommended) for 2”-3” diameter cookies or small scoop (1 tablespoon) for 1 ½ “-2” diameter cookies. (Larger cookies stay soft longer and are recommended for mailing freshness). Place dough balls at least 2” apart on baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until tops are cracked (like brownies) and puffed.
- Cool for 3 minutes before transferring to wire cooling racks.
- Store at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days. For maintaining soft texture, place a slice of white bread at the top of the storage container. Separate the bread slice from the cookies (if they are not individually wrapped) with a sheet of wax paper.
Jen V
That looks so yummy! I am going to have to try the recipe. Thanks so much for sharing this at last week's Friday Favorites Party. I chose it as one of this week's features. I hope you will come back and party with us again this week.
The Monday Box
Thank you for the feature, Jen! Thank you also for hosting the Friday Favorites Party!
Heather @ MySweetMission.net
Hi Wendy. I LOVE chocolate cookies and your Barista Brownie Cookies look amazing! I chose this post for one of my #FavoritePosts from last week's Creative Muster Party, so it will be featured tonight (6pm EST) and I've shared it on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter! Thanks for partying with us! ~Heather
The Monday Box
Thank you, Heather for all of your sharing! I really appreciate it! These cookies should hit the spot for a chocolate lover! ?
Miz Helen
Your Brownie Cookies are just fantastic, thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
The Monday Box
Thanks, Miz Helen! These cookies are a favorite! Thanks for hosting Full Plate Thursday!
Carlee
These sound absolutely perfect. I would love to make them, but am not sure I could trust myself to share!
Frugal Hausfrau
Yum! I love seeing what you put in your care package and these look so amazing! Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Angie
These look so amazing - my mouth is watering! I'm visiting from Happiness is Homemade blog hop.
Thanks
Angie
PS - I also wanted to invite you to link up your wonderful posts to the CLIMB - a month long blog hop.
Karren
THese cookies look absolutely delicious~~
Thank you for stopping by to share them on Oh My Heartsie Girls Friday Features today, I appreciate that.
I am pinning to share!!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Karren
The Monday Box
Thanks, Karren! If you like chocolate you will love Barista Brownie Cookies! Thanks for pinning! I hope you have a great weekend too!
Linda at Mixed Kreations
These Barista Brownie Cookies look amazing! Your pictures are beautiful. Pinning to try!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Linda! These cookies are so chocolaty good and such fun to customize!
Janie
Where do you get your espresso powder?
themondaybox
Hi, Janie. My supermarket carries Medaglia D'oro brand( in a little jar in the coffee aisle) which I have used successfully. I have also used the espresso powder from Penzy's Spices (available online and at Penzy's stores). The brand I like best for flavor is by King Arthur Flour. It is available online and at Sur la Table stores and possible other places I am not aware of. I hope this helps! We are major coffee lovers and I frequently use espresso powder in baking recipes. 🙂
amanda
Can you substitute instant coffee for the espresso powder?
The Monday Box
Hi, Amanda. Yes you can substitute instant coffee granules, but because espresso has a stronger coffee flavor, you may want to increase the amount of coffee granules to 2-3 teaspoons for a pronounced coffee flavor. ENJOY!
Jenny Blaylock
Reminds me of my favorite "heavenly chocolate brownie cookies" from Pillsbury. Absolutely fabulous. Time to make a batch.
themondaybox
They sound great, Jenny. Are they made from Pillsbury brownie mix (my son's definition of a true brownie)?
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
YUM! I love all the drizzle on these cookies. Totally the next level!!
themondaybox
Thanks, Aimee! The cookie is awesome on its own but you're right, that drizzle dresses them up 🙂
Brenda
Found your recipe Juanita's Cocina and am in love.,..will do the espresso and add some of my smoky Chipotle salsa pureed and some Chipotle powder...which is what I do for my brownies on a regular basis...cannot wait to make these next week....four of my favorite loves; chocolate, Chipotle, salsa and coffee...who could go wrong...
themondaybox
Brenda, to be honest,my first thought was, "Yuck, salsa and chili powder in chocolate cookies!" But then I realized that I like Mayan hot chocolate (with chili), so why not in a cookie. Now I am intrigued. Let me know how your cookie turn out.
Brenda
I sure will...I make beer bacon brownies that way with peanut butter cups chopped up which r very popular for demos with my salsa and I make simple espresso salsa brownies both with mixes as I have to give my customers easy since that seems to be what they want these days so when I saw this recipe from scratch I knew I could use it...tried making them with the mix but didn't like them and you are right the thicker/bigger the more moist...though I need them small to had out when there are lots of people...lol...but will let u know...Jen and I work together once a month to create a recipe....so glad I found you and your yummy cookies there :)...on a side note, chocolate chili candy bars are very popular now...some with fruits...yummy
juanitascocina
Oh my gosh, I've got a lady begging for these to be made. I can't wait to make caffeine in edible form!
themondaybox
Well then for heavens sakes, make them for her! Those in need of/love with caffeine aren't patient 🙂 I hope she loves them.
Ashley
These sound so yummy! Love espresso powder and chocolate - makes the best baked goods!
themondaybox
Thanks, Ashley! I do love espresso. When I'm not drinking it, I am using it in baking 🙂 Espresso makes the chocolate, chocolaty-er.
lisak1958
I enjoyed this post so much! Your brownie cookies look not only beautiful but delicious as well!
You continue to wow me with your baking talents and the wonderful way you write about your experiences.
I am a fan!
Lisa
themondaybox
You are so sweet! Thank you!