This Pioneer Woman Mocha Brownies recipe is a rich and fudgy recipe, which is made with unsweetened chocolate and topped with a light, fluffy coffee-infused icing. It’s the ultimate decadent treat, ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, plus cooling time.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Mocha Brownies Ingredients
FOR THE BROWNIES:
- 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 whole eggs
- 3 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
FOR THE ICING:
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled
How To Make Pioneer Woman Mocha Brownies
To Make the Brownies:
- Prep Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt it in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth. Let it cool slightly.
- Mix the Batter: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine and Finish Batter: Slowly pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate into the butter mixture, mixing until combined. Add the flour and mix on low speed only until the flour is just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch.
- Cool Completely: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you begin making the icing.
To Make the Icing and Finish:
- Combine Icing Ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla until combined.
- Whip the Icing: With the mixer running, slowly pour in the cooled, strongly brewed coffee. Whip the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. If needed, add a little more coffee, one teaspoon at a time, to reach a fluffy, spreadable consistency.
- Frost and Chill: Spread the icing thickly over the completely cooled brownies. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill until the icing is set.
- Serve: Once the icing is firm, cut the brownies into small squares to serve.

Recipe Tips
- How to get a smooth brownie batter? Ensure the unsweetened chocolate is fully melted and smooth before you add it to the batter. This will prevent lumps and create a uniform, fudgy texture.
- How to get the best mocha flavor? Use a strongly brewed coffee for the icing. The robust coffee flavor is what gives the frosting its signature mocha taste and cuts through the sweetness.
- How do I get the fudgiest brownies? The key is not to overmix the batter after you add the flour. Mix only until the last streaks of flour disappear. Overmixing develops gluten and will result in a more cake-like, less fudgy brownie.
- Why do the brownies need to be completely cool before icing? This is a crucial step. If you try to spread the icing on warm brownies, the butter in the frosting will melt, and you’ll have a soupy, greasy mess instead of a thick, fluffy layer.
What To Serve With Mocha Brownies
These rich, decadent brownies are a treat all on their own.
- A cold glass of milk
- A hot cup of coffee to complement the mocha flavor
- A scoop of vanilla bean or coffee ice cream
How To Store Mocha Brownies
- Refrigerate: Due to the butter-based icing, it’s best to store these brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 5 days. They are delicious served chilled or you can let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Mocha Brownies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Sugar: 50g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What is unsweetened chocolate?
Unsweetened chocolate, also known as baking chocolate, is 100% cocoa with no added sugar. It provides a deep, intense chocolate flavor that is balanced by the sugar in the brownie batter.
Can I use a different pan size?
Yes, you can use a 9×9 inch pan, but the brownies will be thinner, and you will need to reduce the baking time. Start checking for doneness after about 30-35 minutes.
Does the coffee make the icing taste bitter?
Not at all. The strong coffee flavor combines with the chocolate and sugar to create a classic mocha taste. It actually balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Beet Brownies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
Pioneer Woman Mocha Brownies Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings20
minutes45
minutes550
kcalDeeply fudgy chocolate brownies topped with a light, fluffy, and decadent mocha-coffee icing.
Ingredients
Brownies: 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, 2 sticks butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 3 tsp. vanilla, 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
Icing: 2 sticks softened butter, 5 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp. salt, 3 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease an 8-inch square pan.
- Melt the unsweetened chocolate and let it cool slightly.
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, then the melted chocolate and vanilla.
- Gently mix in the flour until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool completely.
- For the icing, beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla. Add the cooled coffee and whip until light and fluffy.
- Spread the icing over the cooled brownies. Chill until the icing is set before cutting into small squares.
Notes
- Do not overmix the brownie batter after adding the flour to ensure a fudgy texture.
- The brownies must be completely cool before you add the icing.
- Use a strongly brewed, cooled coffee for the best mocha flavor in the frosting.
- These brownies are very rich, so a small square is the perfect serving size.