These fudgy Kahlua Brownies are topped with a browned butter Kahlua icing!  You’ll find a helpful video in the post showing you how to make these delicious Kahlua Brownies.

Kahlua Brownies with a bottle of Kahlua

Kahlua Brownies

These Kahlua Brownies have Kahlua (can sub any coffee-flavored liqueur) throughout. It’s baked into the brownie itself. I also brush a couple of tablespoons of Kahlua on the brownies as they come out of the oven… and watch it soak into the top and down through the warm layers. Even the browned butter icing has a bit of Kahlua in it.

🛒Ingredients needed:

  • flour
  • salt
  • baking powder
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • unsalted butter
  • light brown sugar
  • Kahlua
  • eggs
  • whipping cream
  • powdered sugar

stack of Kahlua Brownies with Browned Butter Kahlua Icing

✏️How to make Kahlua Brownies:

*The complete, printable recipe with all ingredients and instructions is at the end of this post.

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9×9-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

PREPARE THE BROWNIES:

  1. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder; set aside.
  2. Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (pan shouldn’t be touching the water). Place the chocolate chips and butter in the bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.
  3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, ½ cup Kahlua and eggs. Pour in the buttery chocolate mixture and beat until mixed well. Mix in the dry ingredients and beat just until combined.
  4. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top cracks slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (it might be slightly gooey on the bottom of the toothpick- that’s okay!) Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately brush warm brownies with 2 tablespoons of Kahlua. Let the brownies cool completely. I like to refrigerate them after they have cooled down a bit.

PREPARE THE ICING:

  1. Place the butter in a saucepan and heat until lightly browned. Remove from heat and add Kahlua and whipping cream. Whisk in the powdered sugar until you have the consistency that you desire (you should be looking for a thick, smooth icing that is still pourable). Pour on top of the cooled brownies and spread to the edges to cover completely. Refrigerate until set. Chilled brownies are easiest to cut… use a large, sharp knife, wipe clean after each cut, and you’ll get nice, clean cuts.

Fudgy Kahlua Brownies with Browned Butter Kahlua Icing

➡️Recipe Tips:

  • If you’re not a fan of Kahlua, try substituting your own favorite liqueur into this recipe.
  • Some people ask why I line brownie pans with foil. The answer is simple. It makes them so much easier to remove from the pan without ruining any of the edges.
  • Keep a close eye on the butter as you brown it for the icing. You don’t want to go too far. Burnt butter icing is NOT the goal!

✔️What to do with Kahlua Brownies:

  • Make these for a grown-up gathering. Everyone loves brownies and your guests will be impressed with the Kahlua “kick” added to these.
  • If you’re really ambitious, think ahead and make some Homemade Kahlua for these brownies.
  • Should you be lucky enough to have leftovers, store the brownies in covered container and pop in the refrigerator. They’re best if eaten within a couple of days.

Kahlua Brownies

❤️Why I love this recipe:

  1. These are a FUDGY sort of brownie and in my opinion that’s the best kind of brownie!
  2. I love that they’re an EASY homemade brownie to make. Just mix and bake, and ice when cool. It’s a small time investment for such a wonderful outcome.
  3. I have to admit it. I find Kahlua Brownies are addicting (in the best possible way), so consider yourself warned!

Other Kahlua recipes to try:

4.39 from 26 votes

Kahlua Brownies

These are the best fudgy brownies with your favorite liqueur added in!
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 16 brownies
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Ingredients

BROWNIES:

ICING:

  • ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
  • 2 tablespoons Kahlua
  • 1 tablespoon whipping cream
  • cups (more or less) powdered sugar (sifted after measuring)

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9x9-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

PREPARE THE BROWNIES:

  • In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder; set aside.
  • Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (pan shouldn't be touching the water). Place the chocolate chips and butter in the bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, ½ cup Kahlua and eggs. Pour in the buttery chocolate mixture and beat until mixed well. Mix in the dry ingredients and beat just until combined.
  • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top cracks slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (it might be slightly gooey on the bottom of the toothpick- that's okay!) Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately brush warm brownies with 2 tablespoons of Kahlua. Let the brownies cool completely. I like to refrigerate them after they have cooled down a bit.

PREPARE THE ICING:

  • Place the butter in a saucepan and heat until lightly browned. Remove from heat and add Kahlua and whipping cream. Whisk in the powdered sugar until you have the consistency that you desire (you should be looking for a thick, smooth icing that is still pourable). Pour on top of the cooled brownies and spread to the edges to cover completely. Refrigerate until set. Chilled brownies are easiest to cut... use a large, sharp knife, wipe clean after each cut, and you'll get nice, clean cuts.

Notes

  • Store brownies in covered container. They're best if eaten within a couple of days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie, Calories: 523kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 64mg, Sodium: 191mg, Potassium: 200mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 50g, Vitamin A: 500IU, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 2.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.39 from 26 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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120 Comments

  1. Kay Abernethy says:

    Lori, I take back what I wrote about these brownies earlier. I just cut them and they turned out beautifully and I tasted one and it is pure decadence. They will be the hit of our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. Worth every minute I put into them and I will make them for Christmas too! Thanks for a great recipe Lori. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    1. Lori Lange says:

      You’re very welcome- I’m so glad they turned out!

  2. Kay Abernethy says:

    I stated these brownies at 8pm and didn’t finish until nearly 11. I frankly didn’t think they were that easy. Also, it is way too much powdered sugar for no more liquid that is put into the icing. About a cup and 1/2 is what I will use if I ever make them again instead of 2 1/4. Made the icing too dry and hard to spread. I knew I should have increased the liquid that went into the icing. Haven’t cut them yet. Will give them tonight to set up in the frig first.

  3. Dave says:

    I’m not a big brownie eater, but I really want to give these a try. They look so good.

  4. Mahnaz says:

    Thank u for sharing this recipe but if I dont have coffe ricor what can i use?

    1. Lori Lange says:

      Regular coffee might work okay.

  5. stephanie says:

    hey, just wondering if anyone has used Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of the Kahlua for this, and if this can be done using regular melted butter instead of browned butter? i tried my first browned butter recipe the other day and hate the flavour. 🙂

    1. Lori Lange says:

      I believe the answers to your questions are yes, and yes. Let us know how it works out!

  6. Lori says:

    Have you made these in a mini muffin pan?

    1. Lori Lange says:

      I have not.

  7. Kristina says:

    These are Fantastic brownies!! The only thing I would say is what’s up with the double boiler thing — I’m not a pioneer woman. I have a microwave to melt that stuff.

    1. Lori Lange says:

      If that works for you, go for it! I do the same sometimes.

  8. Lisa says:

    Made these ~ Perfect is all I can say, they look exactly like the pic and taste great

    But… I have now had someone ask what the alcohol content is after cooked? Any idea? Doesnt bother me they are super yum but is a good piece of info if you have it.
    Cheers

    1. Lori Lange says:

      I’ve heard that most of the alcohol “bakes out” in the cooking process.

  9. Karen says:

    loved these, moist and tasty, lasted a week in the frig (works with bailey’stoo)

  10. theultimatefoodaddict says:

    the icing looks perfect, lori!