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These espresso chocolate chip cookies are a dream come true for coffee lovers and sweet tooths alike. Soft and crunchy, they combine the bold flavor of coffee with the sweetness of chocolate for an irresistible treat that's perfect for any coffee break.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients You Need
How To Make Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tips for best results
Storage instructions
Variations & Substitutions
recipe questions
More Cookie Recipes
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

Espresso chocolate chip cookies are soft and slightly crunchy cookies with a rich coffee flavor. The bold espresso taste pairs perfectly with sweet bursts of chocolate chips, making these cookies a delicious blend of bold and sweet in every bite.

These coffee-flavored cookies are super easy to make with simple ingredients. The espresso powder adds a bold, intense flavor, but you can easily swap it out for instant coffee for an equally delicious result.

Crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside, making them a joy to eat. They're perfect for any time of day—whether it's with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a dessert.

Why you'll love this recipe

Bold Coffee Flavor: This chocolate chip cookie recipe is packed with a rich espresso taste that perfectly complements the sweetness of the chocolate chips.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up these delicious cookies in no time.
Perfect Texture: Crisp edges on the outside and soft on the inside, these cookies offer the ideal bite every time.

Craving for more coffee recipes? Give these a try: Cappuccino muffins, Dalgona coffee, Tiramisu cake, Tiramisu latte.

Ingredients You Need

You need these ingredients to make these coffee chocolate chip cookies:

Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened or melted butter and slightly cooled (or try with brown butter following my beurre noisette recipe).
Sugar: A mix of white granulated sugar and dark brown sugar, or light brown sugar or demerara sugar, for added depth of flavor.
Eggs: One medium egg, with the option to add an extra yolk for even richer and chewier cookies.
Vanilla and Salt: Optional, but pure vanilla extract and sea salt or table salt help enhance the flavors.
Flour: All-purpose flour for the perfect texture.
Leavening Agents: Combine baking powder and baking soda for a good rise.
Coffee: Prefer espresso grounds or instant coffee for an intense flavor.
Chocolate Chips: Use dark chocolate chips, semi sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks for a more pronounced taste.

How To Make Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: In a large bowl or in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter with the white sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and coffee (or espresso) powder, and mix again until well combined.

mixing bowl with creamed butter and eggs

Step 3: Gradually fold in dry ingredients to the wet ingredients —sifted flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda—along with the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks.

Step 4: Mix using a wooden spoon or spatula until a uniform cookie dough forms.

large mixing bowl with flour mixture and chocolate chips

Step 5: Shape the cookie dough into balls using your hands or an cookie scoop, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Step 6: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and arrange the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 5 cm (2 inches) apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still soft.

Enjoy! Let the baked cookies cool slightly on the cookie sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and enjoy with a cup of coffee or crumbled over vanilla ice cream.

Tips for best results

Use Quality Coffee: For the best flavor, use a high-quality espresso powder or instant coffee. It makes a big difference in the final taste.
Use a Kitchen Scale: For the most accurate measurements and consistent results, use a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups. This ensures the right balance of ingredients, especially for flour and sugar, leading to perfectly textured cookies every time.
Add Extra Espresso: If you love a strong coffee flavor, feel free to add an extra teaspoon of espresso powder to the dough.
Softened Butter is Key: Make sure the butter is softened (not melted) for easier creaming with the sugars. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie texture
Add an extra egg yolk: For even softer and richer cookies, feel free to add an extra egg yolk along with the whole egg.
Don’t Overmix: When adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Chill the dough: Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight, or freeze it for 20 minutes before baking. This helps achieve thicker cookies and prevents them from spreading too much.
Adjust Baking Time: For softer cookies, bake closer to 12 minutes; for crunchier edges, bake up to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary by oven.

Storage instructions

At Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.

Freezing: Place the cookies in a freezer bag, and they will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Variations & Substitutions

Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies: Add cocoa powder or use dark chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey experience like these double chocolate chip cookies.
Mocha Nut Cookies: Mix in some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to add a crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the coffee flavor.
Espresso White Chocolate Cookies: Swap out the dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips to create a sweet and creamy contrast to the bold espresso flavor.
Caramel Espresso Cookies: Add caramel bits or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for a delicious caramel latte-inspired cookie like these caramel cookies.
Gluten-Free Espresso Cookies: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour like in these rice flour chocolate chip cookies.
Vegan Espresso Cookies: Replace the butter with a vegan alternative and use a flaxseed egg substitute like these coconut oil vegan cookies.
Espresso Oatmeal Cookies: Add rolled oats to the dough for a heartier texture and a chewy bite like these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

recipe questions

Can I use instant coffee instead of espresso powder?
Yes, you can use instant coffee if you don't have espresso powder. However, espresso powder will give a stronger and more intense coffee flavor.

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of espresso powder?
It's best to use espresso powder or instant coffee granules for a more concentrated flavor. Regular brewed coffee can make the dough too wet and dilute the flavor.

How do I get a strong coffee flavor in the cookies?
For a more intense coffee flavor, you can add an extra teaspoon of espresso powder to the dough.

Can I make these cookies without a mixer?
Yes, you can mix the dough by hand using a whisk and a spatula. Just ensure the butter is softened so it's easier to combine with the sugar.

coffee cookies with chocolate chip on a table

I hope you love these espresso chocolate chip cookies with espresso powder. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!