Bike Messenger Brownies – Espresso-infused Chai
Posted by BakeandDestroy on March 21st, 2010. Filed under: brownie recipes.
Every barista (or in my case, former barista) has a name for it: a chai latte with a couple of shot of espresso. Some call it dirty chai, some call it speeder chai, but at Earwax Cafe we called it Bike Messenger Chai. If you saw a guy (or girl) walk in with one rolled-up pant leg, a little cap and some weirdly-placed tattoos that was a sign to pull a few shots and start making them a chai latte with two – sometimes three – shots of espresso.
Given my long, unhappy history with brownies it might seem like a bad idea to try and incorporate too many ideas into one recipe. But most of my favorite brownie recipes call for a few tablespoons of coffee anyway, and adding a spiced glaze was a pretty simple way to tell the story. It might be interesting to reverse the idea too – and make a chai-spiced blondie with an espresso topping.
These brownies fall somewhere between fudgy and chewy. I baked mine for 20-25 minutes, until they pulled away slightly from the sides of the pan and the middle still looked a little undercooked. If you like a cakey brownie, bake them until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few crumbs on it.
For the brownies you’ll need:
- 2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 cup flour
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tbs of brewed espresso (or strong coffee)
Then you:
Preheat your oven to 350 and grease a 9″ x 9″ pan. (I actually used a Perfect Brownie Pan
In a large bowl, mix together the cocoa, flour, granulated and confectioner’s sugars and salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil and cooled espresso. Stir the egg mixture into the cocoa mixture until combined. It’s a thick, somewhat lumpy batter. Be cool with the lumps, don’t over mix.
Spread the batter into your pan and bake 20-25 minutes.
For the chai glaze you’ll need:
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1 & 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 Tbs brewed black tea (or chai tea)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp each ground clove, ginger and cardamom
Nuke the butter for a few seconds to melt it, then stir in all of the other ingredients with a fork. You might want to add a touch more tea if it’s too thick. If you want to glaze the whole top of your brownies you can either pour this over your cooled brownies or dip each cooled and cup brownie top-side-down into the glaze. I prefer the dipping method because I am anal and I don’t like how it cracks when you pour it on and then cut the brownies. You can also squiggle the glaze over the top. If you’re squiggling and not coating you can half this part of the recipe.
I ate two brownies, so I’m going to go run around in circles now.
March 21st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I love the tea cup cakes. I love tea and cupcakes so combining the two is just awesome.
March 21st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I have to say the squirrel cookie cutter! I’m going to have to get that for my dog treats!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:02 pm
The Tea Cup Cakes! Such a great idea! And, of course, pretty much all of their liners!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I am in love with the cakewich! Friggin’ awesome idea. You get to have cake in your sandwich, and odds are, no one will know. Indulge without the shame
.
March 21st, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I’m loving the tartan cucpake liners, too cute!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I would love some wedding cake lip balm!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I’m with Kim…I love the tea cup cakes. Tea and cupcakes are a match made in….
March 21st, 2010 at 7:14 pm
The gnome cookie cutter is by far the most ingenious thing ever!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I adore the floral loaf pans. But, my boys would love the table saw cake cutter. I can just see Brody hacking into a cake with that. I am so going to buy it.
March 21st, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I have an obsession with aprons…so my fave is the Picadilly Apron! LOVE it!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I have to go with the cakewich pan, it’s just such an awesome idea and wicked cute to boot!
March 21st, 2010 at 7:35 pm
http://www.acupcakery.com/bakeanddestroypinsbycagedtomato.html
The Bake and Destroy pins, duh
Do I get extra points for sucking up?
March 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Table saw cake knife all the way. It’s the ideal way to mingle my love of baking and my love of power tools.
March 21st, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I really like the NEW Caged-Tomato-Design-Exclusive-Cupcake-Pins!
March 21st, 2010 at 8:16 pm
hmm..love so many! really like the gnome cookie cutter. such a throwback!
btw, i was watching Food Network today, and it was a wedding cake challenge and the couple was tatted out and showing it off as part of the challenge. i wonder y they made u cover up?
March 21st, 2010 at 8:27 pm
that wishosaurus needs to be mine!
March 21st, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I LOVE the Filigree cupcake wrapper. Those are amazing. I need to get some of those so I can show up all the mom’s who bring those pre-packaged craptastic cupcakes to all the school parties
March 21st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I have to say that the squirrel cookie cutter in my favorite! I love all things squirrel, and this is just adorable!
March 21st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Oops, I can’t type apparently. Meant to say that the squirrel cookie cutter IS my favorite! =)
March 21st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
The Spider Web Cupcake liners would be my favorite. Great accent for a Halloween party.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:13 am
Although I fell quickly and completely in love with the chocolate-colored fluted mixing bowl, the wishosaurus birthday candle holder made me smile the biggest!! :]
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:53 am
The tea cup cakes are sweet!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 am
Hard to choose but I am really digging the Table Saw Cake Knife. You just look like you mean business when you pull that out.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am
First…i was gonna say the pink foil wrappers because thats just retro kitsch awesome…but then I saw the gnome cookie cutter and kinda drooled a little. o_O
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 am
How could it be anything BUT cakewhich? It’s what dreams are made of.
I hope I still count, because I totally have TWO addresses in the US!
As another former barrista, I always called them Dirty Chai’s. Fat kid version? Make it a milkshake. That was my favorite. But when I worked at the cafe “make a milkshake” was my answer to everything, hence the extra 15 pounds.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 am
I love the foil wrappers. Although I am also loving the zebra liners too.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:34 am
I love the elephant cookie cutter. It’s so cute!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 am
The Plum Pudding bowls in turquoise (currently sold out.) Cute color and shape.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:10 am
Ok, did you see those kiddie aprons? Why are they SO STINKING CUTE… and extremely, extremely inexpensive. The owl one in particular is so adorable, and only $6. My daughter already has two aprons, but I’m so tempted to get a third… and I’m about to order some early Christmas presents…
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:15 am
gah… none of the kids’ aprons are available!
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:23 am
I am going to have a party – we’ll use the cupcake fondue kit and play good, old-fashioned pin the tail on the donkey. I’ll give out those excellent coin purses with cupcake liners as prizes. I’ll probably be the only one at this party, but I’m okay with that.
I’m going to make these brownies today, by the way. I woke up craving them (i swear to god i’m not knocked up) – just need to get to the store for some cocoa.
Happy Monday!
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:53 am
Most definitely the Cakewich pan. This is on my birthday wish list.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:54 am
I have never seen that cakewich pan before; that is absolutely awesome and definitely my favorite product on the site!
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:18 am
the Cakewich by Fred is awesome!
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 am
I love all of the Retro Cupcake Toppers. They are so sweet!
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:35 am
Black and white polka dot cupcake liners!? Too cute. Thanks for the great giveaway.
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:35 am
I think that the Tea Cup Cakes is a wonderful idea.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:16 am
i dig the bat, cat and skeleton cupcake picks. cute!
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:27 am
i absolutely love all of the cupcake wrappers- foil, paisley, floral, houndstooth, polka dot… i want them all!
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:42 am
I can’t choose just one thing! I love the Nielsen Massey peppermint extract and the pink and gold cupcake liners
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:04 am
Lobster cookie cutters!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:16 am
The Winnipeg Boobie Cupcakes are extremely awesome, both because they are cute as hell and because of the reason behind them. Too nifty!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:31 am
They had me at “gnome cookie cutters.” Anything with a gnome has my vote!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:47 am
I love the Tea Cup Cakes!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 am
I love all their cupcake wrappers. Especially the filigree ones. I can’t wait for my next event so I can get them and pretty up my cupcakes
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
My inner nerd loves the Equal Measure cup. I also love the baby booties made of sugar, very unique.
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 am
love that site, checked it out and love the teacup cupcakes molds!!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Oh my, those brownies sound delicious…
And what a fabulous giveaway! Everything looks awesome, but I gotta say, I definitely love the matryoshkas measuring cups, with the tea cup cakes coming in a close second.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:39 pm
What a cool site! I love the Spider-Web-Cupcake-Liners.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
matryoshkas measure cups!
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
The tea cupcakes for sure! they would be perfect at my mad hatter tea party!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Ever since you posted the Tea Cup Cupcake Molds on Facebook, I’ve been obsessed with them! I MUST own these in the near future! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
So many things to choose from! I would have to go with the Tea Cupcakes mold, so cute! XD
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Ooo! I love the matryoshkas measure cups!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
After inspecting their site I have to say my favorite thing is the “gnome” cookie cutter…I mean how freaking cute is that!?
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
talk about a challenge to pick one item… i would go for the cupcake plates. very pretty! they would look great in my faux kitchen i like to decorate for in an apartment i don’t have yet
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
The gnome cookie cutter is awesome… must… get… one!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I wish I could win the lottery so I could buy everything, but honestly, I must have that Cakewich pan!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I love the the houndstooth cupcake liners (http://www.acupcakery.com/houndstooth-black-cupcake-liners-100-p100.html). I’m looking at planning a DIY wedding reception after I get hitched this year. I’m thinkin’ those cupcake liners would look great with red velvet cupcakes, since my colors will be black, white, and red! I also love the gnome cookie cutters! Gnome cookies would definitely add a whimsical touch!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Those stars/stripes/polka dot foil liners are friggin’ adorable. Aside from them, I WANT EVERYTHING ELSE.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
tartan mary cupcake liners are pretty much the cutest thing ever!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Okay, so I’m not the first person to say the gnome cookie cutter (would be very cute w/ the mushroom cookies), but that and the Table Saw Cake Cutter are on my list of things I need. The cupcake and tart pin cushions are going on that list too.
Those brownies by the way, look super-tasty but would give me palpatations :0
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
My favorite has got to be the gnome cookie cutter. So way totally awesome: http://www.acupcakery.com/gnome-cookie-cutter.html
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:12 pm
god save me, i want them all!
i think if i had to chose just one though it would be:
Tea Cup Cakes.
and now i want chai brownies, but more so i want chai cupcakes!
nosh nosh nosh!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Purple polka dot mini cupcake liners.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
LOVE the Clementine Apron!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I love those matryoshkas measure cups!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I really like the British Tea Apron. There’s something sweet about looking in a cute vintage-looking apron
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
The squirrel cookie cutter, or maybe the laser cut spider web cupcake lines… I’m a sucker for Halloween stuff!
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
omg … the Gnome Cookie Cutter is to-die!
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I am in LUV with the matryoshkas measure cups! Space savers, super cute AND great for making yummy baked edibles. WIN
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
The gnome cookie cutter is awesome1! my best friend is getting married and wanted some off beat items for her cookie candy station at the wedding. Now I know where to tell her to go!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
My fave item on the Sweet Cuppin Cakes site is the gnome cookie cutter. Because really, what home is complete without one???? = )
- Heather
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Ooooooh! Love and gotta have the zebra cupcake liners!! I have bookmarked The Sweet Cuppin Cakes site and will be ordering lots!
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I pick the sunflower cupcake wrappers! I love this site!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 pm
The crab cookie cutter is definitely one of my favorite items… my friends all know how much I love my pet crab, so I have a feeling that they would get a kick out of crab-shaped cookies. Plus, crabs are the most badass aquatic animal. Ever.
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
I love the cupcake plates! Way too adorable, and would fit in perfectly in my home!
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Easy-Icer!!!!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I love the Gnome Cookie Cutter…so cute!
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Oh my – those brownies look Dee-Lish!!
On my wish list from Sweet Cuppin – Definitely the BatterFinger! That just makes me laugh!!
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:06 am
I’d have to stock up on some sprinkles. I always run out too soon! (probably due to the fact that whenever i use them i also eat a handful on the way)
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 am
i LOVE the yellow glassine cupcake liners. The color makes me so happy. That paired with a cupcake is just perfection!
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:06 am
I just want all the spotty cupcake wrappers. If I have to choose a color and not all of them, its got to be red! Nice brownies!
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
The retro cupcake toppers…super presh.
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:40 pm
The ghost cupcake wrappers are super cute!
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
zebra stripe cupcake liners, hands down! match your cupcake to your creepers, duh
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I love all the fancy cupcake wrappers. And the vintage birdy whistles! Too cute.
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
awesome giveaway!!
the Heart-Sugar-Lay-On sprinkle is my favorite item (if I really have to choose just one)
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Lobster Cookie Cutter – I guess there might be one time that I needed a lobster cookie or cake
Who knows – but I like it.
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Tough to pick just one thing, but I love the Gnome Cookie Cutter
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:39 pm
just bought the gnome cookie cutter on my last purchase, so now I need some more packaging supplies. i like the pink cupcake boxes.
March 24th, 2010 at 4:53 am
OH HECKS yea! I love brownies tho… not even baked. I’m one of those. I’ll be trying this! And who wouldn’t wanna win that?!?!? Crazy peeps thats who.
March 24th, 2010 at 10:16 am
the matryoshkas measuring cups! cute and space saving…. and none of the annoying measuring spoon/cup ring business! yay!
March 24th, 2010 at 11:13 am
I am in love with the gnome cookie cutter and the bird whistlers, definetly on my next purchase!
March 24th, 2010 at 11:15 am
The tea pot and tea cup cookie cutters are so freakin’ cute! Totally want those or the cakewich pan.
March 24th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I have not seen cupcake wrappers before, they are very cool…especially the Filigree Cupcake Wrapper
March 24th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
The gnome cookie cutter kicks ass! Who wouldn’t want to eat a gnome in cookie form?
March 24th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
While I have to say I’ve bookmarked their website for their adorable liners (polka dot heaven), I do love the white cupcake pedastal!
March 24th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
The Tartan Mary cupcake liners. PLAID CUPCAKE LINERS?!!! How punk rock is that!
March 24th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
whoa!! those brownies look tastyyy. mmm dirty chai.
as for the giveaway answer; my favorite thing has to be the tea cupcakes mold. how cute are they!
March 25th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Although I love cupcake liners, I’d have to say my favorite thing is the gnome cookie cutter…I think everybody should have the opportunity to eat a gnome….eeerrr….something gnome-shaped?
March 25th, 2010 at 6:46 am
I’d have to say the Clementine apron. It reminds me of baking with my grandmother when I was little.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:55 am
I love the gnome cookie cutter!
March 25th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I like the Re-usable-RED-Cupcake-Cup.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Gah, total toss up between crab cookie cutters and the pink pedestal! (which i may have to pick up anyways)
one of my fav sites for window shopping!
March 25th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I’d love the Cupcake Party Kit. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
March 26th, 2010 at 6:01 am
omg! i adore that gnome cookie cutter! so adorable,this would be awesome if i won because i have a candy and treats business!
March 26th, 2010 at 9:26 am
not cool…. pick only one favorite item… since i love all of the polka doted baking liners…. this is tough…..
it’s a fight between the cake saw and the cakewich pan….
awesome giveaway! thanks!
March 26th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I really like the Tea Pot Cookie Cutter.
March 26th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
First of all the brownies sound AMAZING. Yum. I wonder if I could make those eggless? Hmmmmm!
As to my favourite thing from the shop…. this was hard. I love the White Cupcake Pedestal, but it’s out of stock (no wonder). I am also a diehard candied ginger fan, though, so that can go for my pick instead
March 26th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Way too hard to choose just one!! Zebra stripe liners are so stinking cute!!!!
March 26th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
My favorite is the Rose Bowl Cupcake Pedestal
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
March 27th, 2010 at 8:21 am
I love love love the tea-cup cupcake bowls! So Cute!
March 27th, 2010 at 8:32 am
I am torn between the cupcake plates and the aprons….i love it all really….the liners are awesome too.
March 27th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I like the Tea Cakes Set, so clever!
March 27th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I love the Retro-Inspired-Happy-Birthday-Cupcake-Toppers
March 27th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I really like the Wishosaurus Birthday Candle Holder
so unique
March 27th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
the gnome cookie cutter. shit. that thing is awesome.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
The zebra strip cupcake liners all the way
March 27th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
The gnome cookie cutter is the best!!
March 27th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
The tea cup things annnnnd the gnome cookie cutter!
March 27th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I’m just really into polkadots lately, and the liners with dots are adorable.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
table. saw. cake. knife.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I’m gonna have to go with the Gnome Cookie Cutter. Too cute.
March 27th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Skellie DIY Cupcake Toppers. So cute! And you get bonus wrappers!!
March 27th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Helloooo retro birdie whistler!! Those are awesome!!!! I’d love those atop my spring cupcakes!! Thanks for passing on the great site. =o)
March 27th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
http://www.acupcakery.com/retrobarnyardpartycupcaketoppers.html
The retro barnyard toppers are rad!
March 27th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I’m crazy for anything tea related, so I’ve got to say that I’m totally loving the teapot and tea cup cookie cutters. And well, those gnome cookie cutters also rock!
March 27th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
This is hard. So much to choose from. But if I had to choose one (or two), I’d say the the Easy-Icer-by-tala because decorating is my favorite part and if I can make icing my cupcakes a whole lot easier, then I’ll do it! Oh and I love the M-cups matryoshkas measuring cups! So cute!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:49 am
The sunflower cupcake wrappers are adorable.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:13 am
I would have to say the cakewich pan is the best, followed by the spiderweb cupcake liners.
March 28th, 2010 at 9:05 am
LOVE the gnome cookie cutter AND the liners AND… I want it all.
March 28th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Retro-Momma-Cupcake-Toppers- these are soooo cute!
March 28th, 2010 at 11:42 am
If I had to choice, it would be wither the cherry blossom cupcakes or the winter wild cherry cupcakes as both look absolutely delicious
March 28th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I love the cupcakes plates, they are just too cute!!!!!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I gotta go with the OG brown cupcake liners. NOTHING beats the look of a chocolate cupcake in those liners!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Table Saw Knife!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I LOVE her zebra print liners. I have them in pink and raspberry and they are some of my favorite liners to use… they put a little sass in my muffins and cupcakes! Not to mention, they just make you giggle a little bit when you open the cabinet and see them there!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Madagascar Pure Bourbon Vanilla! I need some!!!!
March 28th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Loving the Zebra cupcake liners!
Great giveaway!
<3 Betsy
March 28th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Gosh, I know they’re included in the giveaway, but I just love the polka-dot liners! I’m a sucker for anything with polka dots.
March 28th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
The whale cookie cutter is soooooo cool, is whale watching season where I live and I could eat whale cookies and watch ‘em swim by.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
PS: Kind of making me miss my barista job.
January 5th, 2012 at 5:43 am
[...] traditional holiday dinner. I made lasagna with farmers cheese, and for dessert, Tony requested by Bike Messenger Brownies in whoopie pie [...]