Fudgy Brownies
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Fudgy Brownies
These fudgy brownies are dense, rich, and glossy on top, with no cakey crumb in sight. The trick is melting the butter with the chocolate, using more chocolate than flour, and beating the eggs and sugar long enough to build that shiny crackly crust. This one-bowl recipe fills an 8-inch pan and cuts into 16 squares.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
- Melt the butter and chopped chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Whisk in the sugar, then the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Beat for a full minute until glossy.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa, and salt. Fold just until no streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Spread the batter in the pan. Bake 28 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
Tips and variations
- For clean cuts, chill the cooled brownies 30 minutes and use a knife wiped between cuts.
- Beating the eggs and sugar well is what gives the shiny, crackly top.
- Pull them while the center still looks slightly underdone. They set as they cool.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chunks to the batter for texture.
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Common questions
- How do I know when brownies are done
- Pull them when a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter and not clean. Overbaking makes them dry.
- Why are my brownies cakey
- Too much flour or overmixing adds air and makes them cakey. Keep the flour low and fold gently.
- Can I double the recipe
- Yes. Double everything and bake in a 9x13 pan, adding about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Cocoa powder type
- Natural unsweetened cocoa works best here. Dutch-process also works and gives a darker, smoother flavor.
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