Why You Should Mix Coffee Into Your Chocolate Cake Or Brownie Batter

When it comes to pairing particular flavors with chocolate, nothing makes as much sense as coffee. This ubiquitous match-up feels as natural as peanut butter and jelly, and always works thanks to a ton of shared fruity flavor notes as well as a slight bitterness in each (via Coffee Friend). While you can generally pair these two at whim, matched to your taste preference, there are a few deciding factors that can influence the marriage of these tastes according to the article. 

For example, very dark coffee (black drip coffee or an Americano) goes well with a less intense chocolate in order to bring out the earthy, spicy notes in the java. Alternatively, espresso and dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao) combine together well to bring out the nutty and chocolatey notes in the coffee and allow the chocolate's bitterness to shine. And naturally creamy coffee goes great with milk chocolate as all of the sweetness is complementary. In even better news, these same accents translate when you enjoy them together in baked goods.

According to Buzzfeed, you can substitute water in a chocolate cake or brownie recipe with brewed coffee. The taste, while subtle, can really bring out the chocolate flavors of the cake and help serve up an even more decadent experience. If you love the idea of infusing your batter with the striking flavors of your favorite coffee, but prefer a yellow cake for example, there's no limits. Most cakes can get a boost from this baking hack, says Wonder How To.

If you decide to take the plunge and add some coffee into your chocolate cake, there are a few great choices to consider. You could use some leftover brew in your drip machine, or you could make a fresh pot (via Lifehacker). Just make sure to let your coffee cool first — you don't want to burn yourself or affect the way the heat might react with the other ingredients in the recipe. 

And it doesn't have to be intense coffee either. If you want to tone it down a bit, you can always use a combination of half-water and half-java to make sure the baked good doesn't come out too strong. Either way, you'll still end up with a dessert like no other and can elevate any recipe with this simple swap.

So, when you crave a deep, rich chocolate cake, make sure to reach for the pot of coffee when you start assembling your batter. It's also ensuring a no-waste recipe too by using something you might otherwise discard.