I still remember the first time I paired freshly brewed espresso with chocolate chips in a cookie — the kitchen smelled like a cozy coffeehouse, and my family couldn’t stop sneaking bites before dinner. As someone who loves creating comfortable, customizable dishes for busy weeknights and special occasions, this espresso chocolate chip cookies recipe is quick, easy, and family-friendly. With brown butter and rich chocolate, it’s perfect for coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love cookies with a rich, bold flavor, these espresso chocolate chip cookies are a must-try. The combination of espresso powder and chocolate chips creates a perfectly balanced, aromatic cookie that coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts will adore. Brown butter adds a nutty depth, making each bite soft, chewy, and irresistible. This recipe is quick, easy, and family-friendly, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. You can customize it with nuts or extra chocolate chips to suit your taste.
Whether you’re baking for breakfast treats, an afternoon snack, or a dessert centerpiece, these espresso chocolate chip cookies deliver comfort, warmth, and gourmet flavor without complicated steps. The espresso flavor intensifies the chocolate, creating a decadent cookie that stands out from classic chocolate chip recipes. These cookies are ideal for anyone who wants a simple, customizable recipe that’s impressive, approachable, and full of flavor.
Ingredients for This Recipe
Every ingredient in this espresso chocolate chip cookies recipe is chosen to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and aroma. Brown butter brings a nutty richness that complements the deep coffee notes from the espresso powder, while chocolate chips add melty, decadent sweetness in every bite. Light brown sugar ensures chewiness, and granulated sugar gives just the right hint of crispness on the edges. Eggs and vanilla provide structure and flavor depth, while all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt create the perfect cookie base. Optional add-ins like walnuts, pecans, or a touch of cinnamon can elevate the flavor, making these espresso chocolate chip cookies adaptable to your taste and perfect for family-friendly baking or special treats.

🛒 Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies):
For the Cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons espresso powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Optional Add-ins:
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ teaspoon cinnamon for warmth
How to Make This Recipe
Making these espresso chocolate chip cookies is easier than it looks, but each step is essential to achieve that perfect balance of coffee-infused flavor and chewy chocolatey goodness. Browning the butter enhances the richness and brings out nutty notes that complement the espresso powder, creating a deep, aromatic flavor in every bite. Mixing sugars, eggs, and vanilla builds a soft, flavorful base, while carefully folding in flour, baking soda, and salt ensures the ideal texture. Chocolate chips provide pockets of melted sweetness, and optional add-ins like nuts or cinnamon elevate these espresso chocolate chip cookies into a customizable, family-friendly treat perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Baking just until the edges are set keeps the cookies chewy in the center, highlighting the intense espresso and chocolate combination.
🛒 Steps:
Brown 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter over medium heat until golden and nutty, then let cool slightly.
Mix 1 cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar into the butter until smooth.
Beat in 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until creamy.
Whisk 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons espresso powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt; gradually add to wet mixture.
Fold in 2 cups chocolate chips and optional ½ cup chopped nuts or ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
Scoop dough into balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Cool 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.
These steps maximize espresso chocolate chip cookies flavor while keeping them soft, chewy, and irresistibly aromatic.

Expert Cooking Tips
Creating the perfect espresso chocolate chip cookies requires attention to detail and a few simple tricks. Browning the butter enhances the nutty, caramelized flavors that pair beautifully with espresso powder, giving your cookies a deep, rich aroma. Measuring flour carefully ensures the cookies stay soft and chewy rather than dry. Folding in chocolate chips and optional nuts evenly guarantees every bite is packed with coffee-infused chocolate goodness. Slightly underbaking the cookies preserves their chewy centers and highlights the espresso chocolate chip cookies’ signature flavor. These expert tips will help you create family-friendly, customizable cookies that are ideal for busy weeknights, special occasions, or gifting.
💡 Expert Tips:
- Brown 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter slowly for a rich, nutty flavor.
- Use 2 tablespoons espresso powder to intensify the coffee taste in your cookies.
- Mix 1 cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar for perfect chewiness.
- Fold in 2 cups chocolate chips evenly for melty, chocolatey pockets.
- Optional: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch and depth.
- Slightly underbake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes to keep centers soft.
- Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
These tips will ensure your espresso chocolate chip cookies are flavorful, soft, and irresistible.

FAQs
What makes espresso chocolate chip cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?
Espresso chocolate chip cookies use espresso powder, which intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a rich, coffee-infused aroma that regular chocolate chip cookies don’t have.
Can I substitute instant coffee for espresso powder in espresso chocolate chip cookies?
Yes, you can use instant coffee granules, but espresso powder delivers a stronger, more concentrated flavor without adding extra moisture, keeping your cookies soft and chewy.
How do I make brown butter espresso chocolate chip cookies?
Slowly brown 1 cup unsalted butter until nutty and fragrant, then let it cool slightly. Combine it with sugars, eggs, flour, espresso powder, and chocolate chips for deep, rich flavor in every bite.
How should I store espresso chocolate chip cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Slightly warming them before serving enhances the chocolate and espresso flavor.
Can I customize these espresso chocolate chip cookies?
Yes, you can add nuts, cinnamon, or extra chocolate chips to suit your taste, making these cookies family-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
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These espresso chocolate chip cookies are the perfect blend of rich espresso flavor, melty chocolate chips, and nutty brown butter, creating a soft, chewy, and irresistible treat. Quick, easy, and family-friendly, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, special occasions, or a cozy coffee break. Customizable with nuts, cinnamon, or extra chocolate, these cookies bring comfort and gourmet flavor to your kitchen. Once you try this recipe, espresso chocolate chip cookies will become a go-to favorite for any dessert lover.
Print
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: ~32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy, buttery cookies with a rich espresso flavor that enhances the chocolate chips. Brown butter adds a nutty depth, making these cookies irresistibly aromatic and perfect with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies):
For the Cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons espresso powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Optional Add-ins:
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ teaspoon cinnamon for warmth
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Brown the Butter
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (~5–7 minutes).
Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, mix brown butter with brown and granulated sugar until smooth.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
Fold in chocolate chips (and nuts or cinnamon if using).
Step 3: Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chewy Cookies: Do not overbake; centers should be slightly soft.
- Extra Flavor: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top before baking to enhance the chocolate and espresso.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
