Ultimate Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Recipe
These brownies deliver an intensely chocolatey, perfectly fudgy center with that coveted paper-thin crackly top.
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 16 squares
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dietary: Contains eggs, dairy, gluten
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 8×8-inch metal baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Large microwave-safe bowl
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Oven thermometer
Alternative tools:
- Double boiler (instead of microwave)
- Glass pan (will affect baking time)
INGREDIENTS
Base:
- 170g (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
- 113g (4 oz) unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 170g (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cubed
- 3 large eggs + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 300g (1½ cups) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 94g (¾ cup) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Optional add-ins:
- 2 tsp espresso powder (enhances chocolate flavor)
- 100g mixed chocolate chunks
- 100g chopped nuts
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Line pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
- Combine chocolates and butter in bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted. Let cool slightly.
- Beat eggs, yolk, and sugar on medium-high for 3-5 minutes until pale and thick.
- Mix vanilla into egg mixture.
- Fold melted chocolate mixture into eggs until just combined.
- Sift flour and salt over batter. Fold gently until no dry streaks remain.
- Pour into prepared pan. Smooth top.
- Bake 25-35 minutes until top is crackly and tester shows moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in pan before cutting.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t overmix after adding flour
- Never overbake – they continue cooking while cooling
- Room temperature eggs create better texture
- Visual done test: Edges slightly pulled from pan, crackly top, moist crumbs on tester
Storage:
- Room temperature: 5 days in airtight container
- Refrigerated: Up to 1 week
- Frozen: Up to 3 months (wrap well)
Common mistakes:
- Opening oven door during baking
- Using hot chocolate mixture
- Cutting before fully cooled
Variations:
- Mint: Add ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- Mocha: Include espresso powder
- Rocky Road: Top with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chips
Based on my 15 years of baking experience, these proportions create the perfect balance between fudgy and structured brownies that won’t collapse when cut.
