Want to know the recipe of that one special ingredient that can intensify the chocolate flavor in your baking? You are reading the right recipe. If you do much baking, espresso powder is that one secret ingredient that can help you make the best chocolate cakes, cookies, brownies, and any other baked chocolate goods.
I have been baking for quite some time, and what I have experienced is that espresso powder can change the way your chocolate cake or brownies taste. Once you know how to make it at home, you would always want to have plenty of it on hand at all times.
Required Ingredients
Following are the ingredients that you need to make easy homemade espresso powder for baking:
- Espresso Beans
I would prefer you to go for organic, medium roast espresso beans as they are fresh and taste much better. Your local grocery store must have a good selection of roasted beans to choose from. However, make sure they are fresh, and that’s it.
If organic beans are not available at the store, you can also opt for your favorite espresso beans or order them online.
2. Baking Sheet
If you also love baking just like me, then you should always have a baking sheet in your kitchen. The baking sheet comes at handy when toasting the espresso beans.
Wondering how the baking sheet can help? Toasting espresso beans in it ensures that the beans heat evenly in the oven.
3. Coffee or Spice Grinder
You might already have this at home. Once you buy fresh espresso beans and roast them, the next step would be to grind them well. Whatever grinder you use, ensure that it grinds the beans well in powdered form.
4. Airtight Container
Once you have ground your espresso beans, you will want to store the powder in an airtight container to maintain its flavor. I like my espresso powder, seasonings, and spice blends to remain fresh for a long time. Therefore, I use the same type of airtight containers for all these items and have wonderful luck with keeping them fresh for long.
Quantity of Espresso Beans You Need to Make Espresso Powder
Are you wondering how many espresso beans you would need to make your espresso powder? Usually, what I have found is that one cup of espresso beans makes about one cup of powder. And if you need to make more or less, you can easily do that by experimenting with the number of espresso beans.
If you want to give some of your homemade espresso powder to your loved ones, then you can prepare a larger batch and give it as gifts to your friends and family.
The Process to Make Espresso Powder at Home
Once you have gathered all of your needed supplies, you are good to go with making your own espresso powder at home. Following are some steps that you should follow:
- Preheat the oven to 200º F.
- Spread your espresso beans in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake the espresso beans until they have dried and are lightly toasted.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let your espresso beans cool.
- Work in batches and grind your roasted espresso beans into a fine powder.
- Transfer your espresso powder to your airtight container (it can easily remain fresh for up to 5 months).
Recipes You Can Make Using Espresso Powder
Once you start adding espresso powder to your baked chocolate goods, you will never look back. The best thing about espresso powder is that it won’t leave a bitter, coffee aftertaste that some people might not like.
The following are some of my favorite recipes to get started with:
- Chocolate Cake (we can link it with our next content here)
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Fudge Brownies
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Cupcakes
Let’s Summarize It
Ingredients
- 1 cup espresso beans
Instructions
First, start by preheating your oven to 200º F. Once preheated, spread your espresso beans on the baking sheet. Bake it for 2 to 3 hours until the beans are lightly roasted and become slightly crunchy. Next, transfer the roasted beans to coffee grinder and process to a fine powder. Once done, grab a high-quality airtight container to store your espresso powder.
Voila! You are all ready to use your espresso powder in your favorite baked chocolate items.
Some FAQs
- What if I Don’t Have a Coffee Grinder?
While I have experienced the best method to break the beans down into a fine powder is grinding them, there are plenty of methods you can use. You can try a food processor, blender, or even mortar and pestle (you might have to put in some extra effort).
- Storage and Shelf Life
Treat espresso powder like any other spice in your kitchen. Store this in an airtight container, keep it in a cool, dry place, and you are good to go for at least a year. In short, as long as it remains fragrant, it is fine to use.
- Will This Powder Dissolve in Hot Liquid?
YES! It will dissolve fine in a hot liquid. However, you should bear it in mind that it is NOT instant coffee, so it’s definitely not meant to be used as such. Therefore, don’t drink it!
- Can’t I Just Use Ground or Instant Coffee?
In short, yes, you can grind instant coffee into a fine powder and use it in a recipe that calls for espresso powder. However, the flavor will likely be weaker, and you may need to increase the amount used. As far as using ground coffee is concerned, I won’t lie, I have used it as well. Again, you may need to add more powder, and it will work just fine.
