I need something chocolate. Let's be perfectly clear, it’s not a want; it’s a need.

Ever have one of those days? Oh, good! I was hoping it wasn't just me!

After browsing through my recipe book, I came across my three favorite flavors; chocolate, coffee & sugar cookies. Could my favorite flavors really be mixed into one glorious recipe? Oh, yes. Yes, they can. And if I really want to live on the edge, I will savor each morsel while drinking my morning coffee. Double bonus!

I love to bake many things from scratch but there are a few things where I prefer using my favorite box mix. One of those things is brownies. The perks of using a mix? 

• Time saver- mix and bake. Simple.
• You can choose between fudgy and cake-like texture, something hard to do with a recipe from scratch.
• Your brownie will always be consistent- consistently good!  

Related recipes: Classic Sugar Cookies, Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie, Monster Chocolate Chip Cookies, Nutella Sugar Cookies, 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

A few tips to help with this recipe:

• When you make your morning coffee, set aside a small amount (1/3 cup) to cool. Then fill up your mug to start your day.
• Not a brewed coffee fan? No worries. Keep a small jar of instant coffee on hand. I really like to use the Starbucks instant coffee packets– they are small and travel well too. 
• On your next trip to the store, grab an extra brownie mix and roll of sugar cookie dough because it never hurts to have these on hand for a quick treat!

A little fun fact I learned from years of baking is that coffee is a flavor enhancer when chocolate is involved. If you want to bring out the rich, deep flavor of cocoa, add a little bit of brewed strong coffee.

It doesn’t take a lot- anywhere from a ¼ cup to no more than 1 cup of java will bring your cakes, muffins, and brownies to a whole new level of goodness.

Start by setting aside a small amount of brewed coffee. 

• A roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough (like Pillsbury) 
• milk chocolate brownie mix
• eggs
• vegetable oil
• strong coffee, brewed and cooled
• semisweet chocolate chunks or chopped block of chocolate

Next, press sugar cookie dough into an ungreased bottom of 13x9x2 pan (jelly roll pan) and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine dry brownie mix, eggs, oil and cooled coffee and stir until just combined.

Pour brownie batter over cookie dough, spreading evenly to edges.

Sprinkle with chocolate chunk pieces.

Bake until edges are set and get ready for some awesome flavor! 

I see this question often and thought I would try to address it here since this recipe calls for coffee. 

If you are making baked goods using coffee, it is preferred to use brewed or dissolved coffee in your recipe. Coffee grounds are course and in their raw form will be a bit bitter and rather crunchy. 

Since we are trying to draw out the flavor profiles of the chocolate, brewed coffee is better. 

Keep your brewed coffee grounds for use in soaps (they make a great exfoliant!) or to spread in your garden for those acid-loving plants (like hydrangeas). 

If you make these delicious Coffee Chocolate Brownies, please share on Pinterest or Facebook! 

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