Leftover from childhood, brownies make many people feel like they're back in in their mom's kitchen. Some people like their brownies like and cakey, while others enjoy them chewy and fudgey. A good brownie recipe can help you make the perfect brownies to suit your taste.
What Is a Brownie?
A brownie is a chocolate cookie bar. It has a texture somewhere between cake and fudge, but is generally moist and chewy. While a brownie base is traditionally chocolate, brownie recipes allow for infinite possibilities for added flavor. Whether the flavors are smoothly blended ones such as extracts and liqueurs, creamy swirls through the brownie like ganache or cream cheese or chunky additions such as nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, dried fruit and candy, brownies are the perfect delivery medium.
The brownie is believed to be an American creation and continues to be a favorite treat in the United States. Named for its rich, dark color, the brownie is popular with people of all ages.
Brownie Recipes
Try the following brownie recipes. One is for a cake-like brownie, while the other makes a more fudge-like version. You'll notice the recipes have similar ingredients in different proportions.
Cakey Brownie
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2-1/2 cups sugar
- 1-1/4 cups cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 5 large eggs
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups flour
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in cocoa powder and sugar, stirring and cooking until well combined. Remove saucepan from heat.
- Stir in vanilla.
- Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well to combine before adding the next.
- Stir in water.
- Whisk baking powder, salt, and flour together in a small bowl and then stir into chocolate mixture.
- Pour into a greased 9x13" baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool and frost, if desired.
Fudgey Brownies
Ingredients
- 8 one-ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate
- 1 cup butter
- 3 cups sugar
- 5 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Method
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and chocolate.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar.
- Beat eggs in, one at a time.
- Add vanilla.
- Add flour and salt and mix well.
- Pour into a prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 recipe of fudgey brownie batter (above)
- 16 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips.
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13" pan.
- Prepare brownie batter and pour into prepared pan.
- Using an egg beater or stand mixer, beat together cream cheese, egg yolks, and vanilla.
- Pour in a swirl pattern over brownie batter and use a knife to further swirl.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of raw batter.
- Bake for about 35 to 50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean.
Brownie Tips
Brownies are less persnickety than other baked goods, so you can change the proportions a little to make them with the texture you like.
- Fudge-like recipes use very little flour and often use no leavening.
- Brownies with a more cake-like texture generally use baking powder or soda and have more flour than their fudge-like brethren.
- Adding an extra egg will give your brownies a chewier consistency.
- Some people confuse blondies and brownies. A blondie has a vanilla or butterscotch bar base. It may have chocolate chips or use no chocolate at all.
- Don't stress over figuring out whether your brownies are done or not. Unlike cakes, it is okay to leave brownies a little gooey in the center when you remove them from the oven.
- Consider topping your brownies with frosting, dusting of powdered sugar, melted chocolate, or candies.
Make Your Own Variation
The best part about brownies is that the recipe is so simple, it's easy to mix up. Try adding chocolate chips, espresso, or liqueurs for new and different flavors.
