Grease a 22x12cm pan with butter, then line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Grease the parchment with butter, then set aside.

Combine the chopped chocolate, espresso powder, and 1 tbsp of cocoa powder in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.

Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the butter just comes to a vigorous simmer, stirring often. Immediately pour the hot butter over the chocolate mixture and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted, then set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or using an electric hand mixer, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs for exactly 5 minutes on high.

With the mixer on, pour in the slightly cooled chocolate mixture and mix until smooth.

Sift in the flour and remaining 2 tbsp of cocoa powder and use a rubber spatula to gently fold until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes and then remove the pan from the oven and slam them on a flat surface 3 times (this deflates them slightly, giving them a more even texture and encourages that beautiful crackly top).

Return to the oven and bake until a skewer inserted into the center of the brownies comes out fudgy, not runny nor wet but the edges look cooked through, about 3 additional minutes. The center of the brownies will seem underbaked, but the brownies will continue to set as they cool.

Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan. Cut into 8 bars and serve.