Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies

Inspired by a tried and true flavor combo, these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies layer sophisticated flavors into a beloved basic brownie recipe. Fudgy and chewy chocolate brownies are laced with warm espresso notes and studded with crunchy nutty almond nuggets, optionally topped with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes to enhance the flavors even further.

Jump to:

• Mocha, almond and fudge is a tried & true flavor combo
• The best brownies have just the right mix of crisp, chewy, fudgy and crunchy
• Make these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies with a handful of simple ingredients
• These brownies mix up quick and easy
• Bake these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies & score big brownie points
• Recipe
• Comments

Mocha, almond and fudge is a tried & true flavor combo

I am not sure how but Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream completely escaped my brain for years, decades even. Recently my husband and I stopped at an ice cream shop and one of my core flavor memories was unlocked when he ordered 2 scoops of Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream. It instantly awoke my love for the flavor combo. In my teen years, this was my go-to ice cream flavor. I can't believe it was somehow hidden from my palate for so long.

On another brain busting note, somehow I only have 1 brownie recipe on bakingthegoods.com. My Reese's Pieces Brownies, which are a superstar of a brownie recipe. And I've got a couple of great Blondie recipes, see my fresh and jammy Strawberry Blondies and these deeply satisfying and super simple Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Blondies.

All great bar recipes but we need more brownie recipes, don't you agree? I know you see where I am headed here. Combining that hankering for mocha almond fudge and a yearning for a new brownie recipe, I created these easy and elegant Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies for all of us.

The best brownies have just the right mix of crisp, chewy, fudgy and crunchy

I once had an unfortunate run-in with brownies that left a bad taste in my mouth for decades. These brownies were particularly fudgy and indulgent and tipped me over the brownie enjoyment scale into a I can't even look at another brownie headspace. It's taken years but by making my own brownie recipes, more intune with my tastes, I have come to love a balanced brownie again. I developed this recipe for Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies for California Prunes and it changed my whole brownie mindset. Allowing me to love brownies again.

This Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies recipe hits the balance of indulgence and texture just right. It's a goldilocks recipe with just the right mix of crispy edges and fudgy centers with a chewy bite, encrusted in crunchy almond nibblets.

My beef with brownies has been that they often seem one dimensional, emphasising rich chocolate decadence and not much else

I like chocolate but I like chocolate more when paired up with a pal or two. That's why these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies feel just right to me. The bitterness of the espresso cuts through all of the rich chocolate. While the almonds add a nuttiness and additional textural dimension. Instead of leaning only into a death by chocolate brownie situation, this layered brownie recipe offers a more multidimensional flavor ride.

Make these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies with a handful of simple ingredients

• Unsalted butter brings rich warmth to the brownie base.
• Dark chocolate or bittersweet baking chocolate is melted down with the butter, giving the brownies their signature rich, chocolatey backbone.
• Granulated sugar sweetens up that deep chocolate intensity, balancing the flavors.
• Brown sugar also does its own sweetening moves with molasses-y warmth but it also brings added chewiness to the texture.
• All purpose flour adds just enough loft so the brownies have a touch of cakey dimension in contrast with the ultra chewy bite.
• Unsweetened dark cocoa powder layers in more of that signature chocolate depth. Working with the sugars to balance the rich and sweet levels.
• Sea salt is tucked in to gently enhance the other ingredients.
• Eggs help to give the brownies just enough rise in the oven, while also playing into that chewiness factor.
• Espresso powder slices through the deep depths of the chocolate with a warm and sharp cut. This gives the Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies their distinct mocha flavor. Chocolate and espresso are such a perfect pair and they align deliciously in these brownies.
• Vanilla is a rounding ingredient that softens the other deep flavors with familiar, gentle comfort.
• Raw chopped almonds pepper the brownies with a much appreciated crunch along with a welcome toasted nuttiness.
• Sea salt flakes, while optional, boost the mocha, almond and fudge flavors in a contrasting and enhancing nudge. Plus, they add a delicate crunch to the top, giving these brownies an additional textural experience.

These brownies mix up quick and easy

Brownies should be basic with minimal steps and while developing these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies, I kept that at the forefront of my mind. The steps are simple and the directions are easy to follow. Basically there are three main moments to baking these easy brownies.

How to make Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies

Step 1: Melt the chocolate and butter together over a double boiler, then stir in the espresso powder.

Step 2: Mix the brownie batter in a few simple steps.

Step 3: Fill the pan, top and bake the Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies.

From mix to fully baked brownies, the whole process takes less than an hour. You just need 20 minutes of prep time and about 30 minutes in the oven until you've got a batch of Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies ready and waiting.

Salt to taste, or don't, you've got options

Once baked, add sea salt flakes to taste. Or, give the option for the brownie biter to salt their own brownies to their liking. I highly recommend salting as it elevates the whole experience but to each their own. Salt to taste, or don't. It's nice to have options.

Texturally, I should advise you to allow the brownies to fully cool before cutting into them. But, speaking from experience here, these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies are pretty transcendent when spooned straight from the pan and into your mouth while they are still warm.

Bake these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies & score big brownie points

Brownies are an easy, go-to dessert to whip up quick when you don't have much time but you want to make something special. And these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownies have it all going for them. They are not your average brownie but they are easy easy to make as a basic brownie recipe.

By turning up the flavors and textures, these Mocha Almond Fudge Brownie boast a big personality with unparalleled crowd pleasing abilities. They are just the right recipe to share with loved ones for any occasion. Make them for a cozy movie night at home or bring them to a gathering and watch them disappear in mere moments. Everybody loves brownies, even if some of us needed a 20+ year break from them. Turns out it was just a matter of dialing in the recipe just right and incorporating an old flavor fave.

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