In my home brownies are foods of the gods for the under-ten set. Whenever I make a batch I have little people clammering for a piece.
Step aside, kids.
This is a brownie with the caffeine level turned UP, making it a perfect choice for that 3pm slump when the need for something sweet and a decent coffee is overwhelming.
Vanilla salt is my new BFF – I discovered it on Saturday at a Sydney food emporium called Salts, Meat, Cheese. Their salt section is heavenly. I used this salt in three sweet things in one day so it is fair to say that it is going to be on high rotation. If you can’t find vanilla salt I reckon it would be relatively easy to make – am sure our friends at Google could help you find a recipe 😉
Do not substitute milk chocolate in this recipe – you want a dark, preferably bitter chocolate to marry with the espresso.
Keep on eye on the baking time, especially if your oven is on the hot side. In my oven 16 minutes produced a dense, fudge-like brownie, which is exactly the texture I was hoping for.
GATHER:
125 grams butter, cubed
200 grams dark chocolate
1 shot espresso
2 eggs
1 ¼ cup plain flour
¼ cup caster sugar
sprinkle of vanilla salt
LET’S GET TO IT:
Preheat oven to 180 C, grease & line a 20cm square cake pan with baking paper, allowing 2 edges to overhang.
Melt butter and dark chocolate in a large pan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, allow to cool 10 minutes.
Stir sugar, eggs, flour and espresso shot into melted chocolate mix until just combined.
Pour into pan and sprinkle over the vanilla salt.
Bake for 16 minutes – you want a moist, fudge-like texture.
Cool in pan. When completely cold cut into squares.
the hungry mum 
That looks amazing
Thank you so much 😉
The texture on these brownies looks so good!! 😀
Thanks – pulling the brownies out of the oven at the right time for a fudgey texture is stressful!
Wow, they sound amazing. I’ve never tried vanilla salt before. I’m just thinking as I feel sleepy I need one of those for a kick start 😀
Vanilla salt will rock your world! It tastes exactly as you think it would! I added it to cake and the small was amazing. ps – sending carrier pigeon your way with brownies 😉
I can’t wait to start reintroducing some sweet treats once I’ve got down to my desired weight. So far so good. Then I can treat treats like a really special event 😀
That’s exactly what they should be – treats. I think we are all guilty of being OTT when it comes to indulging 😉
Yeah, step aside kids. Vanilla salt!? Hoo ha!
Yep, waaaaay too fancy for the kids. #allForMe
vanilla salt? wow that’s def fancy smancy! love it!
Yeah, it is just amazing! If you can get your hands on it I suggest sprinkling it liberally on everything you bake 😉
These brownies look divine! Love the espresso and the sound of the vanilla salt! YUM! 😀
Hey, thanks Jess! Vanilla salt is a wonderful thing 😉
YUM! The perfect morning tea pick-me-up. They look so so good.
Cheers! Every time I see your blog name I reallllly want a glass of champers and a packet of crinkle cut chips!
These brownies look so so good! I especially love the combo of chocolate and coffee. My mother always added a little coffee to anything made with chocolate – it adds that little je ne sais quoi! But the vanilla salt definitely puts these over the top!!!
Thanks! I don’t often mix choc and coffee but your mum’s tip makes so such sense!
These look so compacted with fudgey-chocolatey deliciousness!
Best comment of the day – love it 🙂
I love the salts at Salt Meat Cheese – they have a great porcini one! I’ll now be tracking down the vanilla one….
It is such an addictive place to shop! I also love the smokey salt, called Durango (I think). Porcini salt would be sooooo good.
How wonderfully fudgy these look, the flavours!
Thanks Emma – I love it when the timing works out and the fudge quota is high!
Those look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. 🙂
Chocolate and coffee… more of the world needs to know about this secret! Looks delicious 🙂
Thanks! It is a very decadent and delish flavour combo x
I wonder where I can source vanilla salt from in Perth? AM going to have to do some research!
I reckon you could prob make yr own in mortar and pestle using coarse salt and vanilla pod. Let me know if you try and how it goes 😉
Vanilla salt, hey? This sounds like a wonderful addition in your yummy fudge espresso brownies! ooh yes! A must try! 🙂
Vanilla salt is so incredible! I sometimes just daydream about all the yummy things I want to add it to 🙂
I think it would be great in pancakes, waffles, cakes & into cookies!
I love LOVE brownies- and love how espresso really highlights chocolate flavor. These look amazingly dense- Yum!
Ta Josette – a dense brownie is my kinda brownie 😉
Love dark chocolate and a touch of salt.
thanks, it is such a great combo 😉
Oh hello vanilla salt!! How awesome. Brownies are pretty cool too 😉
Isn’t vanilla salt all the fab? I am throwing it in everything these days.
Did someone say espresso brownie…yes please!
These sound so good, I love espresso and then mixing with brownies! yumm
They were amazing! Please make them – you’ll be glad you did 🙂
I am sure they were!!!