Mocha Brownies With Coffee Frosting

Marg (CaymanDesigns)'s Note:

I love this recipe because it is easy to mix up, I usually have everything on hand and they taste woooonderful. The frosting is optional.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 48

• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 4 teaspoons instant coffee
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting

• ½ cup butter , softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons milk
• 2 -3 teaspoons instant coffee

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Grease a 13x9 inch pan.
2. Melt shortening and butter over low heat or in the microwave.
3. Remove from heat and add cocoa, blend well.
4. Add sugar and mix well.
5. Dissolve instant coffee in hot water and mix into creamed mixture.
6. Add eggs one at a time, beat well, by hand, after each addition.
7. Stir in vanilla, flour, and salt.
8. DO NOT OVER BEAT!
9. Bake 25-30 minutes.
10. Cool completely before frosting.
11. For frosting, cream butter and vanilla.
12. Add powdered sugar and mix in well on medium speed.
13. Dissolve instant coffee in milk and add to mixture.
14. Beat on high until light and fluffy.

Reviews

[Oenophilly]

My favorite brownie! Both the icing and the brownie are excellent. I made the brownies with all butter and with instant espresso instead of instant coffee and they came out fine. I did find the icing to be a bit sweet (this may be bc I had to use almond extract instead of vanilla), so I sprinkled some instant espresso on top and that really balanced the flavors. Another note about the icing: it is very heat sensitive, so you may want to put them in the fridge to get it to set, and if you are traveling in a warm car, you might want to have them in a cooler so the icing doesn't run.

[Confetti]

These were awesome. I was thinking of how beautiful they looked so beautiful while I was making them. Im glad I messed up the frosting because without them, these things were really really sweet. I'd probably knowck the sugar back down to 1 cup if I make these again. Thank you so much these were very very moist and reminded me of a firmer version of flourless chocolate cake. They were incredibly rich and Im pretty much set on one. Again, awesome recipe!

[cause4chubbyhubby]

After three attempts I think I've finally got it just right for my family. I subbed 1/4 c. applesauce and 1/4 c. oil for the shortening, reduced the sugar by a 1/2 c. and did 2 whole eggs and 2 egg whites. Final cooking time was 20 minutes and they were perfect!!! Thank you so much for a brownie recipe that everyone loves no matter how many times in a row I make them!