There’s something wildly comforting about a homemade doughnut and when it’s soft, pillowy brioche, kissed with sugar, and finished with a coffee frosting swirl? It becomes unforgettable.

These espresso brioche doughnuts were born out of two cravings colliding: my love for cloud-soft brioche and my obsession with coffee desserts. I’ve always admired those elegant bakery doughnuts with beautiful toppings and thought, why not recreate them at home with a bold espresso twist?

This recipe captures everything I love about doughnuts: the delicate sweetness, the warm rise, and a hit of espresso in the frosting that wakes up every bite. The chocolate chip garnish adds just the right amount of crunch and richness to make these irresistible.

Whether for a brunch table, a dessert platter, or your morning coffee companion, these doughnuts feel luxurious but are absolutely doable at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Soft, buttery brioche dough – Rich and fluffy with a slight chew
Espresso-spiked frosting – Velvety, bold, and perfect for coffee lovers
Chocolate chip garnish – Adds crunch and sweetness to each bite
Bakery-quality at home – Impress guests or treat yourself
Customizable toppings – Keep it simple or dress it up

Ingredients List:

all-purpose flour
instant yeast
granulated sugar
salt
eggs
whole milk
unsalted butter
Oil, for frying
powdered sugar
instant espresso powder
heavy cream
vanilla extract
Mini chocolate chips

There Are 5 Steps To Making These Doughnuts:

Step 1: Make the Brioche Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add eggs and warm milk. Mix on low speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Increase to medium speed and knead for 5–6 minutes. Add butter a few cubes at a time, letting it incorporate fully before adding more. Knead for another 8–10 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise at room temperature for 1–1½ hours until doubled in size.

Step 2: Chill & Shape

Punch down dough and refrigerate covered for 1 hour (or up to overnight). Roll dough out on a floured surface to ¾-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch rounds using a cutter. Place on parchment-lined trays, cover lightly, and let rise until puffy (about 45 minutes).

Step 3: Fry the Doughnuts

Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry doughnuts 2–3 at a time for 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack, then roll in sugar while still warm.

Step 4: Make the Espresso Frosting

In a bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Dissolve espresso powder in cream (or add brewed espresso). Mix into the frosting along with vanilla and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and creamy. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.

Step 5: Decorate

Pipe a swirl of espresso frosting on top of each cooled doughnut. Garnish with mini chocolate chips. Serve fresh!

Tips to Make This Recipe Your Own:

Add a filling: Pipe coffee pastry cream or Nutella into the center for a stuffed version.
Infuse the sugar coating: Mix cinnamon, cocoa, or cardamom into your sugar for extra depth.
Boozy twist: Add a splash of coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) to the frosting.
No espresso? Use strong instant coffee or coffee extract instead.
Dairy-free version: Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives for both dough and frosting.

Storage Tips:

Best fresh: These doughnuts are best enjoyed the day they’re made.
Short-term: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for 1 day.
Reheat: Skip the frosting, reheat un-topped doughnuts in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes, then frost fresh.
Freezing: Freeze plain (unfrosted) doughnuts and thaw before decorating.
If you're planning ahead, make the dough a day in advance and chill overnight for easy morning frying.

Final Thoughts:

These sugar-dusted brioche doughnuts with espresso frosting are a true indulgence. The fluffy texture, the richness of the butter, the depth of espresso, and the playful touch of chocolate chips make every bite feel like a treat worth savoring.

They look fancy enough for celebrations but are totally achievable in a home kitchen. If you’ve never made brioche doughnuts before, this is the one to start with, they’re rewarding, delicious, and sure to impress everyone who gets to try them.

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