Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for tin 

1/3 cup sugar, plus more for tin 

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 

1/3 cup all-purpose flour 

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder 

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 

3 large eggs 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

Ganache glaze (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush 6 cups of a standard muffin tin with butter and dust with sugar; tap out excess. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Let cool.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, espresso powder, and salt. With a mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until completely incorporated. Add flour mixture; beat until combined. Beat in vanilla and chocolate.

Spoon batter into prepared cups. Bake until cakes no longer jiggle when tin is shaken, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 10 minutes before turning out cakes. Spread ganache over tops and serve.