Best ever chocolate brownies recipe (2024)

Table of Contents
Ingredients Method FAQs

Ingredients

  • 185g unsalted butter
  • 185g best dark chocolate
  • 85g plain flour
  • 40g cocoa powder
  • 50g white chocolate
  • 50g milk chocolate
  • 3 large eggs
  • 275g golden caster sugar

Method

  • STEP 1

    Cut 185g unsalted butter into small cubes and tip into a medium bowl. Break 185g dark chocolate into small pieces and drop into the bowl.

  • STEP 2

    Fill a small saucepan about a quarter full with hot water, then sit the bowl on top so it rests on the rim of the pan, not touching the water. Put over a low heat until the butter and chocolate have melted, stirring occasionally to mix them.

  • STEP 3

    Remove the bowl from the pan. Alternatively, cover the bowl loosely with cling film and put in the microwave for 2 minutes on High. Leave the melted mixture to cool to room temperature.

  • STEP 4

    While you wait for the chocolate to cool, position a shelf in the middle of your oven and turn the oven on to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

  • STEP 5

    Using a shallow 20cm square tin, cut out a square of kitchen foil (or non-stick baking parchment) to line the base. Tip 85g plain flour and 40g cocoa powder into a sieve held over a medium bowl. Tap and shake the sieve so they run through together and you get rid of any lumps.

  • STEP 6

    Chop 50g white chocolate and 50g milk chocolate into chunks on a board.

  • STEP 7

    Break 3 large eggs into a large bowl and tip in 275g golden caster sugar. With an electric mixer on maximum speed, whisk the eggs and sugar. They will look thick and creamy, like a milk shake. This can take 3-8 minutes, depending on how powerful your mixer is. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture becomes really pale and about double its original volume. Another check is to turn off the mixer, lift out the beaters and wiggle them from side to side. If the mixture that runs off the beaters leaves a trail on the surface of the mixture in the bowl for a second or two, you’re there.

  • STEP 8

    Pour the cooled chocolate mixture over the eggy mousse, then gently fold together with a rubber spatula. Plunge the spatula in at one side, take it underneath and bring it up the opposite side and in again at the middle. Continue going under and over in a figure of eight, moving the bowl round after each folding so you can get at it from all sides, until the two mixtures are one and the colour is a mottled dark brown. The idea is to marry them without knocking out the air, so be as gentle and slow as you like.

  • STEP 9

    Hold the sieve over the bowl of eggy chocolate mixture and resift the cocoa and flour mixture, shaking the sieve from side to side, to cover the top evenly.

  • STEP 10

    Gently fold in this powder using the same figure of eight action as before. The mixture will look dry and dusty at first, and a bit unpromising, but if you keep going very gently and patiently, it will end up looking gungy and fudgy. Stop just before you feel you should, as you don’t want to overdo this mixing.

  • STEP 11

    Finally, stir in the white and milk chocolate chunks until they’re dotted throughout.

  • STEP 12

    Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, scraping every bit out of the bowl with the spatula. Gently ease the mixture into the corners of the tin and paddle the spatula from side to side across the top to level it.

  • STEP 13

    Put in the oven and set your timer for 25 mins. When the buzzer goes, open the oven, pull the shelf out a bit and gently shake the tin. If the brownie wobbles in the middle, it’s not quite done, so slide it back in and bake for another 5 minutes until the top has a shiny, papery crust and the sides are just beginning to come away from the tin. Take out of the oven.

  • STEP 14

    Leave the whole thing in the tin until completely cold, then, if you’re using the brownie tin, lift up the protruding rim slightly and slide the uncut brownie out on its base. If you’re using a normal tin, lift out the brownie with the foil (or parchment). Cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into four squares and finally into triangles.

  • STEP 15

    They’ll keep in an airtight container for a good two weeks and in the freezer for up to a month.

Best ever chocolate brownies recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

How many brownies can you get out of a 9x13 pan? ›

This homemade brownie recipe is great for every day celebrating to enjoying life's special moments that call for chocolate deliciousness. This recipe is perfect 9×13 to give you 12 large or 24 smaller brownies.

What can I add to brownie mix to make them better? ›

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds rich flavor to brownies. Eggs – Most brownie mixes call for one whole egg. Adding one large egg plus an extra egg yolk gives brownies an ultra fudgy texture.

How do you keep brownies soft and chewy? ›

Using airtight wrappings (including using plastic wrap right against the brownies) is key to keeping your brownies fresh, whether you're keeping them at room temperature for short-term storage, or planning to freeze them so you can have a fresh brownie ready whenever you need it.

What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›

If you opt to add more eggs, say double the amount, something interesting happens. Even though you are adding more moisture, the air bubbles that you catch in the extra eggs add volume, which decreases the density of your final product. This makes your brownies rise and gives them a much more cake-like texture.

Is it better to make brownies with butter or oil? ›

Oil Brownies: These were chewier with crunchier edges and a crunchier topping. They were more matte on top with a far less crinkly shiny brownie 'skin. ' They tasted more like box mix brownies. Butter Brownies: These were much fudgier, softer, and had a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

What size pan is best for brownies? ›

Unfortunately, there's just not a standard size for brownie pans. But if you're baking for a big family or other large crowd, we recommend a 9-by-13-inch pan over an 8- or 9-inch square. And when it comes to nonstick bakeware, "USA Pan is the GOAT!" says Commerce Writer Kristin Montemarano.

What size pan is best for baking brownies? ›

Pans for making brownies are usually square (8 x 8 inches or 9 x 9 inches) or rectangular (9 x 13 inches), so most recipes are written for use in those sizes. Round cake pans can also be used, and pans for individual mini brownies are available too.

What size pan for perfect brownies? ›

The best pan for classic brownies: Ceramic 9"-square baking dish. I tested with this pan, but any ceramic 9x9" pan will deliver similar results. Of all of the square pans I tested, the ceramic performed the best overall, beating out its metal (aluminized steel) and glass counterparts.

How do you doctor up boxed brownie mix? ›

Scope out your kitchen for add-ins.

Boxed brownies can be their own blank slate for just about any snacks, sweets, or baking scraps you've got in your pantry or fridge. Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand.

How to pimp Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

The quickest way to customize a batch of brownies is as easy as raiding your pantry. Stir a handful (or two) of your favorite candy into the bowl of batter, sandwich a layer of cookies and candies in between two layers of batter or work into the topping—there really is no wrong way to load your brownies up.

Why do you put sour cream in brownies? ›

Amp Up The Moisture

While plenty of box mixes already brag about being super moist, there's a secret ingredient that can take that moisture even further. Good news, too: It's likely already in your fridge. All you have to do is add half a cup of sour cream to the mixture for super decadent brownies.

Should I refrigerate brownies after baking? ›

Do Brownies Need to Be Refrigerated? Brownies don't need to be refrigerated, but they'll hold up a few more days if they are. Unless your brownies include more perishable ingredients like fresh fruit or cream cheese frosting, they'll be fine at room temperature as long as they're stored in an airtight container.

Why do my brownies get hard after they cool? ›

If the edges of your brownie are hard once it's cooled it's because you've over baked it.

What happens if you bake with milk instead of water? ›

Milk's fat and protein add tenderness, structure, and flavor to a cake — all great attributes you want in your baking!

What happens if you substitute milk for water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What happens if I substitute milk for water in a cake recipe? ›

Yes, you can substitute milk for water when preparing SuperMoist cake mixes, however, the cake may be slightly drier than if prepared with water. Also keep in mind that milk will add calories and change the nutrition slightly.

How to make box brownies extra chewy? ›

To make box brownies moist and chewy, here are a few tips you can try:
  1. **Don't Overmix:** When preparing the brownie batter, mix until just combined. ...
  2. **Add Extra Moisture:** Incorporate ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, or applesauce into the batter.
Apr 18, 2022

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