The Best Chocolate Brownies Ever


Fudgy, chewy, and irresistibly chocolatey. These homemade brownies deliver indulgence in every bite.


Published: September 7, 2023 · Modified: February 19, 2025 by Jennifer Ryan


best chocolate brownies recipe

Few desserts inspire as much devotion as the classic chocolate brownie. A perfect balance between fudgy and chewy, this recipe creates an indulgent bite packed with deep, rich cocoa flavor and a crisp, crackly top. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a bake sale, or simply to satisfy a late-night craving, these brownies promise a decadent experience. With simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow method, you’ll achieve bakery-level results every time. From the science behind the perfect texture to expert tips on enhancing flavor, this guide ensures your homemade brownies turn out flawless.

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The Best Ingredients for Fudgy Brownies

Achieving the perfect brownie starts with selecting the right ingredients:

  • Dark Chocolate: High-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) provides depth and intensity.
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds an extra layer of chocolate richness and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Flour: Using a moderate amount keeps the brownies dense rather than cakey.
  • Sugar: A mix of granulated and brown sugar helps create a moist, fudgy texture while contributing to the shiny top.
  • Fat: A combination of butter and oil ensures a rich mouthfeel and soft texture.
  • Eggs (or Egg Substitute): The key to structure and chewiness—beating them well adds lift, while under-beating keeps things dense.
  • Vanilla Extract: A small but essential ingredient that rounds out the chocolate flavor.

Each component plays a role in determining the final texture, so using quality ingredients makes a noticeable difference.

The Best Chocolate Brownie Recipe Ever!! | Delicious & Easy To Make

Expert Tips for the Ultimate Brownie Texture

Achieving the perfect brownie texture requires more than just following a recipe. Small adjustments in technique can make a noticeable difference in how your brownies turn out—whether you prefer them ultra-fudgy, slightly chewy, or with a delicate, crackly top. Here are some expert tips to help you get the best results every time:

1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients

Cold ingredients, such as eggs and butter straight from the fridge, don’t mix as smoothly into the batter and can lead to an uneven texture. Let your eggs, butter, and any dairy-based ingredients sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using them. This ensures better emulsification, leading to a more consistent batter and an evenly baked brownie.

2. Don’t Overmix After Adding Flour

Once you add the dry ingredients—particularly flour—it’s important to mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, which can result in a dense, tough texture instead of a soft and tender bite. Use a gentle folding motion with a spatula rather than vigorous stirring to maintain the desired fudginess.

3. Bake Slightly Underdone for Fudgy Brownies

One of the secrets to achieving a rich, fudgy interior is pulling the brownies out of the oven just before they are fully set. The residual heat from the pan will continue to cook them as they cool, ensuring they remain moist and soft rather than overbaked and dry. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

4. Let Them Cool Completely Before Slicing

It can be tempting to cut into warm brownies right out of the oven, but this often leads to crumbling and a messy presentation. Allowing them to cool completely—ideally for an hour or more—helps them firm up, making for clean, even slices. If you want extra neat edges, chill the brownies in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting.

5. Whisk Eggs and Sugar Well for a Glossy, Crackly Top

That signature shiny, crinkly top on brownies isn’t just about looks—it’s a result of properly beating eggs and sugar together before adding the other ingredients. Whisking them until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened helps create a delicate, crispy crust while keeping the inside rich and fudgy.

By paying attention to these details, you’ll create brownies with the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and appearance. Whether you enjoy them plain, loaded with mix-ins, or topped with a scoop of ice cream, these techniques will ensure consistently delicious results every time.

Best Toppings & Variations for Brownies

Brownies are a perfect blank canvas for creativity, offering endless possibilities for customization. Whether you love a classic, fudgy bite or want to experiment with exciting textures and flavors, adding toppings or mix-ins can take your brownies to the next level. Here are some delicious ideas to inspire your next batch:

1. Chocolate Chunks for Extra Indulgence

For an added layer of richness, mix in chunks of dark, milk, or white chocolate. Unlike chocolate chips, which are designed to hold their shape, real chocolate pieces melt into irresistible pockets of gooey goodness. Try combining different types for a balanced depth of flavor.

2. Crunchy Nuts for Texture & Flavor

Nuts bring a delightful contrast to the soft, fudgy texture of brownies. Walnuts and pecans add a warm, buttery crunch, while hazelnuts provide a slightly sweet, toasty flavor. Lightly toasting the nuts before adding them enhances their taste and ensures they stay crisp in the batter.

3. A Touch of Sea Salt for Perfect Balance

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before baking intensifies the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness. The slight crunch and subtle saltiness create a gourmet touch, making each bite more satisfying. This is especially great for those who love a sweet-savory combination.

4. Gooey Caramel Swirls for a Decadent Surprise

Drizzling caramel over the brownie batter before baking adds pockets of gooey sweetness throughout. Use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl it into the batter for a beautiful marbled effect. Salted caramel works particularly well, complementing the deep chocolate flavors with a hint of complexity.

5. Cookies & Candy for Fun and Playfulness

For a more playful variation, mix in or top your brownies with crushed cookies or candy pieces. Crushed Oreos add a creamy, chocolatey crunch, while Biscoff cookies bring a spiced caramel note. M&Ms or peanut butter cups add bursts of color and extra sweetness, making them a hit at parties or with kids.

6. Fresh & Dried Fruit for a Tart Contrast

Adding fruit is a great way to introduce a natural sweetness or tartness to your brownies. Fresh raspberries provide a juicy, slightly tangy contrast to the rich chocolate, while dried cherries, cranberries, or chopped apricots offer chewy bursts of flavor. This is an excellent option for those who love fruit and chocolate pairings.

Experimenting with toppings and mix-ins allows you to customize your brownies to match any mood, occasion, or craving. Whether you’re going for a rich and indulgent treat or something with a bit of crunch or contrast, these variations make every bite unique and delicious.

How to Store and Freeze Brownies for Freshness

To keep brownies fresh, proper storage is key:

  • At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
  • Refrigeration: While not necessary, chilling brownies can extend their shelf life to a week. Wrap them tightly to prevent drying out.
  • Freezing: Brownies freeze well—wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: To revive frozen brownies, thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a just-baked taste.

Proper storage ensures your brownies stay moist and delicious long after baking.

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best chocolate brownies recipe

Chocolate Brownies

Jennifer Ryan
Master the art of homemade brownies with this foolproof recipe, packed with rich chocolate flavor and a perfect gooey center.
5 from 29 votes
Tiempo de Prep 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, British
Servings 18 people
Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).
    Preheat oven 180 degrees
  • Lightly grease a large Pyrex dish with butter or oil, then line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
  • Break 300g of dark chocolate into a heatproof glass Pyrex bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water (double boiler method) and stir gently until fully melted. Once smooth, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
    300 g Dark chocolate
  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine self-raising flour, cocoa powder, caster sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
    340 g Self-raising flour, 3 tbsp Cocoa powder, 306 g Caster sugar, 1/4 tsp Salt
  • In a separate measuring jug, add the milk, vanilla extract, and sunflower oil, then give it a quick stir.
    1 tbsp Vanilla extract, 460 milliliters Unsweetened soya milk, 60 milliliters Sunflower oil
  • Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
  • Once the batter is smooth, add the melted chocolate that was set aside earlier and stir until fully incorporated.
  • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared Pyrex dish, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
  • Break up the remaining dark chocolate into chunks and scatter them evenly over the top for an extra indulgent finish.
    100 g Dark chocolate chunks
  • Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35 minutes.
  • To check if the brownies are done, insert a skewer or fork into the center. If it comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs, they are ready. If there is wet batter, return them to the oven for a few more minutes and test again.
  • Once baked, leave the brownies in the dish to cool completely.
  • When cooled, carefully remove them, peel off the parchment paper, and slice into squares. Your rich, fudgy brownies are now ready to serve and enjoy!

Video

The Best Chocolate Brownie Recipe Ever!! | Delicious & Easy To Make

Notes

Tips and Tricks
For an extra boost of flavor and richness, consider adding a shot of espresso to the batter. This enhances the depth of the chocolate, making the brownies even more indulgent.
You can also customize the toppings to suit your taste. Try adding chopped nuts, sweets, candy, pretzels, or a sprinkle of salt for a balance of sweet and savory. If you prefer a classic touch, scatter chocolate chunks on top, just as I do, for an extra layer of decadence.
When checking for doneness, use the fork test—insert a fork into the center of the brownie. If it comes out with gooey batter clinging to it, bake for a few more minutes and test again. Since every oven varies slightly, once you've made these brownies once, you'll have a better idea of the perfect timing for your specific oven.
These brownies can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, enjoy them cold with fresh strawberries, or get creative by adding brownie chunks to homemade chocolate ice cream or an ice cream sundae for an irresistible dessert. The possibilities are endless!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 3gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 107IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 3mg
Keyword brownies, chocolate, dessert
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A perfect brownie is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a balance of science and indulgence. By using high-quality ingredients, mastering simple techniques, and experimenting with flavors, you can create bakery-level brownies at home. Whether enjoyed plain, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or turned into an elegant dessert, these brownies offer something for everyone.

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Looking for more baking inspiration? Try our guide to the best homemade cookies or explore creative ways to use leftover brownies in other desserts. No matter how you enjoy them, these chocolate brownies are sure to become a household favorite.