Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (melted)
- 8 oz (225g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (chopped or use chocolate chips)
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder (for that deep chocolate flavor)
- 1/4 tsp salt (adjust for taste)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (optional, for a slightly fluffier texture)
- 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips (optional, for extra fudgy bites)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease the pan and dust it with flour. Parchment paper makes it easy to lift the brownies out once they're baked and cool.
2. Melt the Butter and Chocolate:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) together. You can do this in 20-30 second bursts, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Alternatively, melt the butter and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method). Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add the eggs and whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually pour in the slightly cooled melted chocolate-butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients:
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together to avoid any clumps of cocoa powder or flour.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix—stir just until there are no visible streaks of flour.
5. Add Optional Mix-ins:
- If you want even more chocolatey goodness, fold in chocolate chips or any other mix-ins like walnuts or pecans at this point.
6. Bake the Brownies:
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, but start checking around 22 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. If you prefer a slightly underbaked, gooier brownie, pull them out closer to the 25-minute mark.
- Keep in mind that the brownies will continue to cook in the pan as they cool, so err on the side of slightly underbaking for that perfect fudgy texture.
7. Cool and Slice:
- Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper (if you used it). Allow them to cool completely for the best texture, although they are absolutely irresistible when still warm.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Fudgy Brownies:
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Don’t Overbake: The key to fudgy brownies is a slightly underbaked center. If the toothpick comes out clean, they’re overbaked and will be more cake-like. Leave a few moist crumbs on the toothpick for that rich, fudgy texture.
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Quality Chocolate: Use high-quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate for the best flavor. If you use chocolate chips, be sure they are also of good quality—this is the primary flavor base of the brownies.
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Use Room Temperature Eggs: Eggs at room temperature incorporate better with the other ingredients, helping to create a smoother batter.
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Butter vs. Oil: While butter adds richness and flavor, you can use vegetable oil if you prefer a slightly softer brownie. However, butter is essential for that deliciously fudgy texture.
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Mix-ins: Feel free to add chopped nuts, extra chocolate chips, or swirls of caramel, peanut butter, or Nutella to the batter. Just be sure not to overwhelm the batter with too many add-ins to maintain the fudgy texture.
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Let Them Cool: Let the brownies rest for about 30 minutes before cutting into them (if you can resist!). This helps them set and makes slicing cleaner and easier.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies: Swirl softened peanut butter into the batter before baking for a delicious contrast with the chocolate.
- Mint Fudgy Brownies: Add a few drops of mint extract or swirl in mint chocolate chips for a refreshing twist.
- Espresso Brownies: Add instant espresso powder (about 1 tbsp) to the batter to deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Nutty Brownies: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert.
- Pair with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate chocolate treat.
- Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of whipped cream for extra flair.
The Best Fudgy Brownies are all about achieving the perfect balance of richness, density, and gooeyness. With this recipe, you’re guaranteed brownies that are intensely chocolatey, wonderfully fudgy, and utterly irresistible. Enjoy!