Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by David Michael
Homemade Chocolate Brownies
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I love chocolate. When given a choice of flavors, I pick chocolate over any others most of the time. There’s just something irresistible about the rich, velvety, and indulgent nature of chocolate. And when it comes to chocolate-based recipes, I believe they should be nothing short of extraordinary. My brownie recipe is dedicated to delivering an intense and satisfying chocolate experience.
Brownies are a classic dessert loved by people of all ages. The perfect brownie should have a rich, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth, leaving you with a delightful chocolatey experience. These deliver with added chunks of chocolate from the chocolate chips stirred into the batter.
The brownie batter is made in just one pan, so clean up is a breeze.
Chocolate Brownies Recipe
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Note on cocoa powder – I like to use a mix of regular unsweetened and dark, dutched cocoa powder – 1/2 cup regular unsweetened and 1/4 cup dutched – like Ghirardelli Majestic cocoa or Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa.
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two opposite sides to help lift out the brownies when done. Lightly butter the parchment paper.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. When butter is melted, remove from heat, and stir in cocoa powder.
After the mixture has cooled slightly, stir in sugar, salt, and vanilla. It will be grainy, that’s ok.
Beat in eggs, one at a time. The mixture should be smooth now. Add flour and stir to incorporate until no traces of flour remain. Stir in chocolate chips.
Pour into the pan, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set and barely firm in the middle. A toothpick will come out slightly moist. Cool on a rack before lifting out of the pan and cutting.
Tips for Brownie Success
Allow your brownies to cool completely in the baking pan before cutting and serving them. Resting allows the brownies to set and develop their fudgy texture. It’s tempting to dive right in when they come out of the oven, but patience will be rewarded with perfectly fudgy squares.
To achieve clean and neat brownie squares, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. If the brownies are sticking to the knife, you can lightly grease it with cooking spray or dip it in warm water before slicing. Refrigerate the brownies to help firm them up for easy slicing.
Serve your deeply fudgy brownies on a platter or individually on dessert plates. They can be enjoyed as is or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Variations and Additions for Extra Indulgence
While deeply fudgy brownies are delicious on their own, you can get creative and add extra indulgent elements. Here are a few ideas:
Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add a delightful crunch and enhance the flavor profile. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cups.
Chocolate chips: Sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top of the brownie batter before baking for gooey pockets of melted chocolate.
Sea salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a contrasting savory element and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Caramel swirl: Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownie batter and use a toothpick to create swirls for a caramel-chocolate combination. Sprinkle the caramel with sea salt for salted caramel brownies.
Storing Your Brownies
If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To maintain their fudginess, place a slice in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up before serving.
Conclusion
Deeply fudgy brownies are a true delight for chocolate lovers. With their rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey texture, they are sure to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. By using high-quality ingredients, perfecting the balance of sweetness, and paying attention to baking time and temperature, you can create brownie bliss in your own kitchen. So, grab your apron and indulge in the decadence of deeply fudgy brownies!
Be sure to try our recipe for Blondies for a classic buttery treat.
For more chocolate indulgence see our recipe for Perfect Chocolate Cake.
For classic and flavor variations, check out our post on Chocolate Truffles.
Dark Chocolate Fondue for an elegant dessert course.
Our Chocolate Martini is the perfect grown up dessert course that satisfies those chocolate cravings.
Recommended Products for Fudgy Chocolate Brownies
Fat Daddio 8″ Square Pan
I love the Fat Daddio pan because it’s heavy duty and it has straight sides. All of your brownies will come out with nice straight edges. These are anodized aluminum for extra durability, hand wash these and you may never have to replace these.
Ghirardelli Majestic Premium Cocoa
Deep chocolate color and flavor along with a high fat content makes this one of my favorite dark dutched cocoa powders. This is my secret weapon in everything chocolate.
Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa
This makes a great substitute if you can’t find the Ghirardelli Majestic. It doesn’t seem to have as high fat content, but makes a delicious brownie.
Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
This organic cocoa powder has a full chocolate flavor that is the backbone for nearly everything chocolate. This is the unsweetened chocolate that delivers the full fruity flavors of chocolate.
Reynolds Parchment Paper with Smart Grid
The lines printed on this parchment paper are nothing short of genius. Quickly trim the parchment to fit just about any pan.
