By Christie Vanover | Published September 25, 2011 | Last Updated January 17, 2015
This started off as an experiment, but holy macaroni Batman, I think this is the best dessert I’ve ever made. It’s eyes roll to the back of your head good. It’s I don’t smoke, but I need a cigarette good. You have got to try it!
I might be jeopardizing my cool factor by admitting this, but I just don’t get the Starbucks fascination. I like coffee, but at the cost of $120 a month and 1,500 calories a week it’s not worth it to me.
On top of that, when I walk into Starbucks, I feel like I’ve landed on another planet. I’ve honestly tried to figure out the trendy way to order, but the baristas always look at me funny. I’ve got the sizes figured out, but then there’s the soy, skinny, wet, dry, single, double, etc. The fact that there are websites devoted to explaining how to order legitimizes the fact that this isn’t normal.
But I really do like the flavor of coffee, especially in desserts, so I made my way into a Starbucks today (before the crowd got there) and ordered two drinks. I still didn’t do it right. I asked for a Venti Caramel Macchiato and a Double Espresso. “Do you want a double espresso in your Macchiato,” the lady asked. “No, I want two separate drinks.”
Then, although my sticker said Venti, the lady handed me my drink, and said, “Here’s your Grande Caramel Macchiato.” I didn’t even ask (despite paying an extra buck or so for the Venti). I know Venti is the largest and Grande is like a medium, but I have no idea what the cups look like. When I measured the liquid at home, I confirmed that she did serve me a grande.
Now that I survived the ordering and a reminder that I’m not hip enough to “get it,” I’m ready to move onto what I do know how to do ~ bake.
Since I love coffee-flavored desserts, I decided to bake a couple with Starbucks inspiration. I’m planning a dessert buffet for an awards ceremony, and I figured coffee would add a nice option with the vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and banana flavors already on the menu.
Although this recipe is layered and combined, you can bake the brownies or pudding and serve them on their own. Each is truly delectable…and might I add easy. But if you go all the way and make the pudding into a mousse, you will be blown away. This recipe makes more mousse than you’ll need, but no worries, now I have a lot of mousse leftover, and trust me that is nothing to complain about.
Ingredients
- 2 boxes Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownies
- 1 Starbucks Doppio (double) Espresso (2 ozs./ ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup oil
- 2 eggs
Blend all ingredients together. Pour into a Silpat-lined sheet pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
https://www.zestuous.com/double-espresso-brownies-with-caramel-macchiato-mousse/Ingredients
- 1 Starbucks Grande Caramel Macchiato (2 cups)
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- pinch Fleur de Sel (or kosher salt)
Pour the coffee into a saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat.
Just before it boils, add the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
Stir until it thickens and starts to coat the back of the spoon.
Pour into another bowl. If you need to serve it quickly, chill it in an ice bath. Otherwise, let it cool in the refrigerator.
https://www.zestuous.com/double-espresso-brownies-with-caramel-macchiato-mousse/Ingredients
- ½ batch Double Espresso Brownies
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 batch Caramel Macchiato Pudding
- Caramel Sauce
- Melted Chocolate
Using a small biscuit cutter, cut the brownies into circles and place them into mini cupcake liners.
Whisk heavy cream, until stiff peaks form.
Fold in the pudding.
Place the mousse into a piping bag with a star tip, and pipe the mousse onto the brownies.
Place the caramel in a Ziploc bag and cut off the corner. Pipe the caramel across the top of the mousse.
Place the melted chocolate in a Ziploc bag and cut off the corner. Pipe the chocolate across the top of the mousse.
Chill and serve.
https://www.zestuous.com/double-espresso-brownies-with-caramel-macchiato-mousse/
Emily Kelley says
I may just have to make these for the first coffee I host for our new unit. How appropriate…coffee themed brownies for a coffee! 🙂
Jerry says
Those double chocolate espresso brownies look divine. Thanks for sharing the recipe post 🙂
Heather/Basilmomma says
From start to finish this was an EXCELLENT POST!!! not only are your pictures fabulous but you really got it right about SBucks!
My son is a real sucker for that place. EVERY time we see one he makes me go in and get him a whoopie pie. LIke I can’t make them. LIke I CAN NOT BAKE!
So BRAVO to you! THis is awesome and the pudding is to die for!
I will be making this soon for the kid…and ME!!