I’m obsessed with brownies that hit every possible chocolate note, and these Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies absolutely deliver. You know that perfect balance—fudgy centers with just-crisp edges? That’s what we’re talking about here. But the real magic happens when you pour that glossy ganache over the top, creating a dessert that’s both simple and sophisticated. The hint of espresso deepens the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee. Ready to transform your ordinary brownie game into something that’ll make your guests think you trained in Paris?
Why You’ll Love these Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies
Everyone deserves a brownie that makes them close their eyes and sigh with chocolate-induced bliss. These ganache-topped treats deliver that moment with every bite. I’m talking about brownies with the perfect balance—fudgy centers, slightly crisp edges, and that glossy chocolate ganache crown that melts on your tongue.
What makes them irresistible? It’s the double chocolate punch, the hint of espresso that deepens the flavor without tasting coffee-ish, and that silky ganache layer that transforms an ordinary brownie into something company-worthy.
Ready in under an hour, they’re my go-to when chocolate cravings strike. Seriously, why settle for basic when decadent is this easy?
What Ingredients are in Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies?
To create these mouthwatering brownies that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance, you’ll need a perfect balance of pantry staples and chocolate essentials.
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters most with the chocolate components—splurge a bit on good cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate if you can, as they’re the stars of this decadent show.
How to Make these Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies
Making these brownies is surprisingly straightforward, despite how impressively fancy they’ll look on your dessert table. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 8×8 inch baking pan—this step might seem minor, but trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when your brownies release easily.
In a mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon espresso powder (which is optional but adds incredible depth to the chocolate flavor), and 1⅓ cups granulated sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup melted unsalted butter, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth and well-blended. The combination of butter and oil creates that perfect balance of flavor and moisture—who knew such brownie magic could come from such simple ingredients? For the ultimate battering experience, a Premium KitchenAid Stand Mixer will make blending these ingredients effortless and thorough. Fold the wet ingredients into your dry mixture until just combined; overmixing is the enemy of fudgy brownies.
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and bake for 32-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The real magic happens after your brownies have completely cooled.
For the ganache topping, heat ½ cup heavy cream until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over 4 ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate. Let this sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes (patience is a virtue), then whisk until gloriously smooth. Spread this silky ganache over your cooled brownies and, if you can possibly wait, refrigerate until the topping is set. The contrast between the fudgy brownie base and the smooth ganache creates a chocolate experience that’s basically therapy in dessert form.
What to Serve with Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies
These decadent chocolate ganache brownies pair up perfectly with complementary flavors that balance their rich intensity. I recommend serving them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for that classic hot-and-cold contrast, or fresh raspberries for a tart counterpoint.
Need something to drink? A cold glass of milk is traditional, but I’m partial to coffee or espresso to enhance those deep chocolate notes. For grown-up gatherings, try pairing with a ruby port or dessert wine.
Want to get fancy? Add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce right before serving. Heavenly, don’t you think?
Leftovers and Storage for these Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies
While these brownies rarely last long in my house, proper storage guarantees they’ll maintain their fudgy texture and rich flavor when you do have leftovers.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week. The ganache firms up beautifully in the fridge, creating an almost truffle-like topping. Can you imagine anything more delightful?
For longer storage, cut into squares, wrap individually in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight. Trust me, finding a forgotten brownie in your freezer is like discovering buried treasure.
Decadent Double Chocolate Ganache Brownies Substitutions and Variations
Let’s plunge into some clever swaps and twists you can try with this brownie recipe, perfect for when you’re missing an ingredient or want to shake things up.
Need dairy-free options? Swap butter for coconut oil and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Gluten-free folks can substitute the all-purpose flour with a one-to-one gluten-free blend. Don’t have espresso powder? Coffee grounds work in a pinch, or skip it entirely.
For flavor variations, try adding a half cup of chopped nuts, mint extract instead of vanilla, or a swirl of peanut butter through the batter. White chocolate ganache, anyone? Simply divine.
Final Thoughts
After making these double chocolate ganache brownies countless times, I’m convinced they’re the perfect dessert for any chocolate lover’s cravings. The contrast between the fudgy brownie base and silky ganache topping creates pure magic on your taste buds.
The espresso powder, though optional, truly elevates the chocolate flavor to new heights.
Serve them warm with ice cream, or chilled with coffee. The espresso powder, though optional, truly elevates the chocolate flavor to new heights.
For those who enjoy coffee-infused treats, consider trying instant coffee cookies as another caffeine-inspired baking option.