Now, pour the brownie batter into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The smell wafting through my kitchen at this point is pure bliss—it’s enough to make anyone feel at home. While the brownies cool, it’s time to whip up the coffee cream ganache.
In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat without bringing it to a boil. Stir in the instant coffee granules until dissolved, then pour the hot cream over the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then gently stir until it’s beautifully smooth and glossy. Once your brownies are cool, pour this luscious ganache over the top, giving it the ultimate gourmet finish.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this three ways: baked, chilled, and straight from the pan after cooling. To be honest, I prefer letting it chill for a couple of hours before cutting; it allows the flavors to meld and set up beautifully. If you want to highlight the coffee flavor, mix a bit of espresso into the ganache—trust me, it makes a world of difference. Lastly, I recommend using high-quality dark chocolate; the better the chocolate, the richer your ganache will be!
Also, if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the ganache right before serving. It adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness, and I can’t get enough of that salty-sweet combination.
Lastly, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. I’ve learned that it really does make a difference in the texture of the brownies, ensuring they have that fudgy perfection!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake I often see is overmixing the brownie batter. This can lead to tough brownies, which is the last thing you want! You want a chewy texture, so mixing until just combined is key. Another common pitfall is forgetting to line the baking pan with parchment paper—trust me, it can be a nightmare trying to get those brownies out of there in one piece! (See the next page below to continue…)