Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies (2024)

I never thought I would love an espresso-flavored dessert more than my coffee brownies and chocolate coffee cake, but these espresso chocolate chip cookies have become my newest obsession!

I started with my favorite toffee chocolate chip cookie as the base, added ground espresso, and they turned into these delicious coffee cookies! The browned butter and espresso bring a gourmet richness to the cookie dough that makes it super addicting and perfect for any occasion.

If you love coffee desserts, you must try our popular Mocha Marshmallow Cookies and Coffee Oreo Whoopie Pies.

Espresso: Espresso powder is best for this recipe. You can also use the grounds from an espresso pod from your coffee machine! I tested these espresso chocolate chip cookies with coarsely ground coffee but the grounds left a gritty taste so I don't recommend using them.

Butter: While this recipe calls for unsalted butter, salted butter can be used in equal parts. You may need to eliminate half of the salt from the recipe to prevent it from being too salty.

Chocolate chips: You can use milk, dark, semi-sweet chocolate chips (as used in this recipe), or a combination! You can also play with using chopped chocolate or chocolate chunks for big pools of melted chocolate.

Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Brown the butter. In a stainless steel pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat stirring constantly until browned.

Once the color is amber brown, scrape all of the butter into a mixing bowl, mix in the espresso, then set it aside to cool to room temperature (image 1 below). I have a detailed post on how to brown butter if you're new to baking!

Step 2: Whisk in the sugars. Whisk in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar for one minute until well combined (image 2 below).

Step 3: Mix in the wet ingredients. Whisk in the room temperature egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined (image 3 above).

Step 4: Mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, chocolate chips, and salt until just combined (image 4 above).

Step 5: Scoop and bake! Scoop the cookie dough onto one of the prepared baking trays. Chill the tray in the freezer for at least 3-4 hours, overnight is best (image 5 above)!

Bake the cookies spaced 2-3 inches apart (one tray at a time) for 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with flaky sea salt if desired. Let the tray cool on a wire cooling rack before removing them.

5 from 108 votes

• ▢ 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ground espresso
• ▢ ½ cup + 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 large egg room temperature
• ▢ 1 large egg yolk room temperature
• ▢ 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour *see notes for measuring in notes below*
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¾ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips

• In a stainless steel pan, cook the butter over medium heat until the butter solids at the bottom are an amber brown color. (For me this takes about 10 minutes!) Scrape all of the butter into your mixing bowl.

  14 tablespoons unsalted butter

• Stir the espresso grounds then set the bowl aside to cool to room temperature. (In my kitchen, this takes about 20-30 minutes!).

  1 tablespoon ground espresso

• Whisk in the sugar and brown sugar for one minute until combined.

  ½ cup + 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar

• Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.

  1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Fold in the flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate until just combined.

  1 ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chocolate chips

• Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Then chill the tray in the freezer for at least 3-4 hours (overnight for the best flavor and texture!).

• When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Bake the frozen cookies spaced at least two inches apart for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the middle is still pale and puffy.

• Let the tray cool on a wire cooling rack and enjoy!

*Measure your flour properly. This is my #1 baking tip! Do not ever scoop a measuring cup into your flour as this always leads to using too much flour. Instead, use the spoon-level method. This means fluffing the flour first, then spooning it into your measuring cup/spoon. For the BEST results, use a kitchen scale!*

Chill the dough overnight. I know it is tempting to bake them the same day, but the magic happens overnight! The cookies will have a better texture and flavor with an overnight chill.

Scoot the cookies after baking. Sometimes the cookies will bake lopsided. As soon as you take them out of the oven, place a round cookie cutter around the cookie and scoot the edges to make them perfectly round!

Storage:Store the baked cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Freezing: Once scooped and frozen, transfer the cookie dough balls to an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for 1-3 months!

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.