Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the griddle
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• Salted Caramel Sauce, warm, recipe follows
• Confectioner's sugar, optional
• Raspberries, optional
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 teaspoon fleur de sel or other coarse sea salt

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Instructions

1. Whisk together the eggs, both kinds of sugar, buttermilk, butter, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the egg mixture and whisk until just combined. Fold in the chocolate, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
3. Heat a large cast-iron griddle or nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Brush with butter and continue heating until the butter begins to foam. Drop scant 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the griddle. Bake until bubbles start to form and burst, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook to set the other side, another 1 to 2 minutes. As the pancakes are ready, put them in a single layer on the baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.
4. Stack the pancakes on plates, drizzle with the warm caramel sauce, and top with a sprinkling of confectioners' sugar and some raspberries, if desired.
5. Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup cold water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, without stirring or touching, until the sugar turns a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, warm the cream in a small saucepan or in the microwave. When the caramel is ready, slowly whisk in the cream and continue simmering until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and salt until combined. Serve warm.