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Coffee Toffee Brownies

Featured in Irresistible Desserts.

Decadent triple-layer brownies with coffee buttercream, chocolate ganache and Heath toffee bits. Perfect make-ahead dessert that stays fresh for a week in the fridge.
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Ranah
Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:12:38 GMT
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A slice of chocolate cake with nuts on top. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Super fudgy brownies topped with creamy coffee buttercream, rich chocolate ganache, and crunchy Heath toffee bits create an irresistible dessert that satisfies every sweet craving. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor, subtle coffee notes, and buttery toffee crunch.

Last weekend, I brought these to a family gathering and watched as people's eyes widened with their first bite. My brother-in-law, who claims he doesn't even like coffee, went back for seconds.

Coffee Toffee Brownies Ingredients

  • Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Creates richer chocolate flavor
  • Instant espresso powder: Enhances chocolate taste without bitterness
  • Heavy cream: For luxurious buttercream and ganache
  • Heath toffee bits: Adds textural contrast and caramel notes
  • Quality chocolate chips: Semi-sweet for balanced ganache
A slice of chocolate cake with nuts on top. Pin it
A slice of chocolate cake with nuts on top. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

How to Make Coffee Toffee Brownies

Step 1: Prepare brownie base
Melt butter with cocoa, add sugars and eggs, then fold in dry ingredients
Step 2: Bake & cool
Bake 25-28 minutes until set, cool completely
Step 3: Make coffee buttercream
Beat butter with powdered sugar and espresso mixture
Step 4: Create ganache
Heat cream and pour over chocolate chips, stir until smooth
Step 5: Assemble layers
Spread buttercream, pour ganache, sprinkle toffee bits, refrigerate

The History of Layered Brownies

Layered brownies gained popularity in 1950s American kitchens, combining European coffee-chocolate traditions with American toffee indulgence.

A slice of chocolate cake with nuts. Pin it
A slice of chocolate cake with nuts. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Serving Suggestions

  • Perfect for dinner party dessert tables
  • Ideal for book club gatherings
  • Great make-ahead dessert option

Storage Tips

  • Store refrigerated in airtight container
  • Let come to room temperature before serving
  • Flavors improve after 1 day
  • Keeps well for 5 days

I discovered this by accident when I had to make them a day ahead for a bake sale. The extra resting time allowed flavors to meld perfectly.

After years of baking, I've learned that truly special desserts come down to small details. These brownies combine familiar flavors in thoughtful, unexpected ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular instant coffee instead of espresso powder?
Yes, you can substitute instant coffee, but you might want to use a bit more (about 1½ teaspoons) since it's typically less concentrated than espresso powder.
→ Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These actually taste better when made a day ahead as the flavors meld together. They'll keep well in the fridge for up to a week.
→ What can I substitute for Heath toffee bits?
You can use chopped chocolate-covered toffee bars, or try crushed Butterfinger, chopped nuts, or even crushed chocolate cookies for a different crunch.
→ Do these brownies freeze well?
Yes, they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
→ Can I make these brownies in a different size pan?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the baking time. A 9-inch pan will require less time (start checking around 20 minutes), while a 7-inch pan will need more time (around 30-35 minutes).

Triple-layer chocolate coffee treats

Rich fudgy brownies topped with coffee frosting, chocolate ganache, and crunchy toffee bits - a chocolate lover's dream dessert!

Prep Time
80 Minutes
Cook Time
28 Minutes
Total Time
108 Minutes
By: Ranah


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 brownies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Brownies

01 ½ cup unsalted butter
02 ½ cup cocoa powder
03 1 cup granulated sugar
04 ½ cup brown sugar
05 2 eggs
06 1 teaspoon vanilla
07 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
08 ½ teaspoon salt
09 ¼ teaspoon baking soda

→ Espresso Buttercream

10 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
11 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
12 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
13 2 ¼ cup confectioners sugar
14 1 teaspoon vanilla

→ Ganache

15 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
16 ½ cup heavy cream
17 ½ cup Heath toffee bits

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350ºF and line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Take it off the heat and mix in the cocoa powder until you get this gorgeous glossy mixture. Whisk in both white and brown sugars, then add your eggs and vanilla, stirring until everything's mixed well. Switch to a wooden spoon and fold in the flour, salt, and baking soda just until combined.

Step 02

Pour your batter into the lined pan and bake for 25-28 minutes. Once done, pull them out and let them cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 03

In a small bowl, mix the heavy cream and espresso powder and set it aside. Beat the softened butter in your mixer until it's creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually, about a cup at a time, beating well between additions. Pour in the vanilla and your coffee-cream mixture, then beat everything until the frosting gets light and fluffy, about a minute. Spread this evenly over your cooled brownies.

Step 04

Put your chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer, then immediately pour it over the chocolate chips. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 minutes. Unwrap and stir until smooth. Let the ganache cool to room temperature before pouring it over your frosted brownies.

Step 05

Once the ganache has cooled enough, spread it evenly over the frosting layer. Sprinkle those Heath toffee bits all over the top. Pop the brownies in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so all the layers can set properly. When you're ready to serve, cut them into squares. They'll stay fresh for up to a week if you keep them in a sealed container in the fridge.

Notes

  1. These brownies have three delicious layers that need to set, so be sure to allow enough time for cooling between steps.
  2. For cleaner cuts, run your knife under hot water and wipe it clean between slices.
  3. These brownies freeze well for up to 3 months if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8-inch square baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium saucepan
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Small saucepan
  • Plastic wrap

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten
  • May contain nuts (check Heath toffee bits ingredients)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 315
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 3 g