I received an email from Claudia Hall Christian of The Denver Cereal, a local writer and blog editor asking if I would submit a recipe to them for a Brownie Contest. Now my friend Karen, she is a ‘Contester.’ She has entered and won several contests (and a ton of money I might add…this was not that!). I am simply an experienced cook and I don’t think I’ve ever entered anything I’ve made in a contest. Still I thought, why not? I’ve been wanting to get this brownie front and center for awhile so the timing was perfect for both the contest and Whatever Wednesday; I mean what’s not to like about a brownie that combines cinnamon and chocolate with espresso? Yes, maybe a bit over the top but at least I did not stuff an Oreo inside of them; a trend that I just do not get I won’t deny.
Proof positive that tried and true can also equate to better? My recipe won the contest and here is where it has been incorporated into her ‘Cereal’ of the event. I love these brownies; they are rich and decadent (read…not cakey, not one bit) and that combination of flavors? Really…what is there not to love?
A rich and chewy brownie with a hint of cinnamon and an espresso, Mexican chocolate glaze.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1 & 1/2 tsp espresso
- 1/2 cup and 2 Tbsp boiling water
- 2 oz chopped unsweetened chocolate
- 4 & 1/2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 & 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 & 3/4 cup flour
- 6 oz chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
- 6 Tbsp Butter
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 Tbsp espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 16 oz powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Put the 1/3 cup cocoa and 1 & 1/2 tsp espresso into a medium size mixing bowl; add the boiling water and blend thoroughly with a whisk.Add the 2 oz of chopped unsweetened chocolate and whisk until melted.
- Add the butter and the vegetable oil and whisk until combined.Add the 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks and whisk until just combined then add the vanilla, sugars, cinnamon and salt and whisk.
- Fold in the flour until just mixed and then mix in the 6 oz of chocolate.
- Cover the inside of a 9X13" pan with aluminum foil and butter the inside. Pour the dough into the pan and cook for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Combine the butter, buttermilk, cocoa, espresso and cinnamon in medium size pan and bring to a boil on the stove. Remove from heat and add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat with a whisk until smooth.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately pour the glaze over the top and spread. Cool the brownies completely at room temperature. then remove them from the pan using the foil edges. Allow to cool for 90 minutes minimum.
- Cut. Devour.

















{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Hiya. These look fabulous. Quick question please.
When refer to espresso do you mean:
Instant espresso powder
Ground espresso beans, or
Brewed espresso.
Thank!!
I use the instant espresso powder and will make sure the recipe calls for that now too. BUT in a pinch…I would substitute either of the other too as well (to taste) if they are what I had on hand.
The other day I asked some FB friends for their favorite brownie recipe, and made one of the recipes. The recipe has been a hit four times now, yes I have made the recipe four whole times:-) That being said, because I was given so many lovely recipes, I made a list of ones I still need to make. I am totally putting this gorgeous recipe on my list, love the addition of coffee especially:-) The frosting looks soooooo perfect, OH MY YUM! Hugs, Terra
Terra Most Recent Post: Valeria Lukyanova – Living Barbie Doll
Looks yummy, I want to try this! http://emsdarkroom.blogspot.com/ em xx
Best idea ever, well maybe not ever, there is electricity, but this is pretty darn close!
Tiffany Most Recent Post: LETTUCE TURNIP THE BEET
“I mean what’s not to like about a brownie that combines cinnamon and chocolate with espresso? Yes, maybe a bit over the top but at least I did not stuff an Oreo inside of them; a trend that I just do not get I won’t deny.”
HA HA HA HA I love you, girl! And these are dreamy good… cinnamon and espresso – normally I add one or the other to anything chocolate but both is fabulous! Love this recipe. Love the icing!
Jamie Most Recent Post: JAYNE COHEN’S FABULOUS ALMOND CHALLAH
Congratulations!!! I can completely see why this was a winning recipe. Anything with espresso is a winner for me. Pinning now to make very soon!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!! I’m so happy for you and clearly these brownies are a winner. I am a die hard brownie girl and I love that you say these are not cakey… cakey brownies are the worst, in my humble opinion. These sound divine and I assure you, I will be making them!
Kate | Food Babbles Most Recent Post: Chocolate Coconut Zucchini Bundt Cake – #BundtaMonth
Fabulous looking brownies worthy of any contest for sure! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.
Suzanne Most Recent Post: Warm Fettuccine Salad with Asparagus and Potato Dressing
Congratulations Barb! But I must say I’m not surprised at all! These look freakin’ fabulous! And I really enjoy glazed brownies. :)
Baker Street Most Recent Post: #BundtaMonth: Double Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake
Congratulations! This certainly looks like a worthy contest winner!
Jen @ Savory Simple Most Recent Post: Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather
Congratulations on your win…these brownies look pretty flippin’ amazing, so I’m not surprised!
Lisa Most Recent Post: SRC-Three Cheese Broccoli Rabe, Prosciutto and Roasted Red Pepper Stromboli plus Part 16
So glad you shared this recipe here on your own site and your great pictures. Congratulations on winning the brownie contest. Don’t think it was a decision they had to deliberate over much as they look exactly as you say. rich and decadent. Exactly what an award winning brownie should be.
Paula Most Recent Post: Chocolate Zucchini Carrot Cake with Pumpkin Pie Spice Frosting
Congratulations! I hope there are some left for me to devour :) They look divine!
Ansh Most Recent Post: Sweet potato soup – Indian inspired
Congratulations on your award winning brownie recipe- the flavors of cinnamon, espresso and chocolate sound wonderful in a brownie;-)
Congratulations on a well-deserved win for this exceptional recipe, Barb! I have to agree with the Oreo-stuffed trend…not my thing. I’d love to have one of these and a nice cup of sweet, creamy coffee.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Chicken, Bacon & Mushroom Sandwich
I have been reading your blog, Barb, even though I did not leave any comments:) Now that I am back from Serbia and somewhat settled in the school-year routine, I can get back to my normal activities.
My girls love brownies, and especially the combination of coffee and chocolate. These look perfect and I am not surprised one bit that you won the contest:)
BTW, that cookie thing drives me nuts. But so do the cake pops. And frying desserts that are not supposed to be fried, just for novelty sake:) I’ll stop, as I don’t want to be a grumpy ol’ troll!
Lana Most Recent Post: Picadillo Circus
shhh, i don’t get the oreo thing either. probably because I have eaten my weight in Oreos during my pregnancy, but anyhow, these brownies look scrumptious. I love the cinnamon and the coffee touch
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking Most Recent Post: Brownie bottom cheesecake
Omg 3 of my favorite flavors in one bite! Heavenly! Congratulations on a well deserved win!
I love cinnamon and espresso paired with chocolate, these look like incredible brownies!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: caramelized plum cake
oh my, these look amazing!!! :) Congrats on winning the contest too!!!
These look fabulous Barb! So glad I don’t have these around… otherwise I’d be one very big man right now.
Brian @ A Thought For Food Most Recent Post: Sugar and Spice Popovers
Congratulations, these sound great. I can totally see why they won.
Suzanne Most Recent Post: A Tribute in Lights-9/11/2012
Oh these are beauties! I think I could eat just the glaze and be happy. Glad to hear the recipe was a winning one, how could it not?
By the way- I like the “take a bigger bite” button to click through to the whole post. Is that a recent change or have I missed it before? Much better than “click here”.
Holly Most Recent Post: Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
You had me at Mexican brownies! Ohhhh dear!!! Hope they make an appearance when I’m around. Hint, hint. LOL!
Yvette (Muy Bueno Cookbook) Most Recent Post: Mango Cucumber Mint Granita
I think maybe I tried these at your house before and they are indeed winners! As I recall there is a perfect little hint of espresso but not too much. Thanks for this recipe. I can’t wait to try them out of the Wednesday lunch bunch.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: A Nice Addition to Any Late Summer BBQ: Mango Cucumber Slaw
You did try them and assured me they were not at all ‘over the top.’ Guess some others agreed!