Best Brownie Recipe Ever (2024)

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This really is the Best Brownie Recipe ever! These homemade brownies are the perfect chewy fudge squares of chocolate. You'll never buy a boxed brownie mix again!

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Best Brownie Recipe Ever (2)

Looking for the perfect brownie recipe? Look no further! We tested 12 boxed brownie mixes on our live show and threw our old homemade brownie recipe into the mix. Surprisingly, they didn’t win! All our friends and neighbors thought they would, but alas, they did not. We went back to the drawing board to come up with the ultimate homemade brownie recipe that could knock any boxed mix out of the water. This is the recipe that can beat them all!

Best Brownie Recipe Ever (3)

Brownie Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Best Brownie Recipe Ever (4)

Butter (Salted Butter, Melted):

  • Function: Butter adds richness, moisture, and flavor. It also helps in creating a tender texture.
  • Substitution: Unsalted butter can be used with an added pinch of salt. For a dairy-free version, try coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.

Sugar (Granulated Sugar):

  • Function: Sugar sweetens the brownies and contributes to the soft, tender texture. It also aids in creating a nice crust on top.
  • Substitution: Brown sugar can be used for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. For a less refined option, coconut sugar is a good substitute.

Eggs (Large Eggs):

  • Function: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the brownies, preventing them from falling apart.
  • Substitution: For an egg-free version, use applesauce, mashed bananas, or commercial egg replacers.

Chocolate Chips (Milk Chocolate Chips, Melted and Whole):

  • Function: Milk chocolate chips add sweetness and create gooey pockets in the brownies. Melted chocolate contributes to the rich, chocolatey base.
  • Substitution: For a less sweet, more intense chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips. For a dairy-free version, opt for dairy-free chocolate chips.

Flour (All-Purpose Flour):

  • Function: Flour provides structure, ensuring the brownies aren’t too dense or too cake-like.
  • Substitution: A gluten-free flour blend can be used for a gluten-free alternative. Almond flour or oat flour are other options, though they may slightly alter the texture.

Cocoa Powder (Unsweetened):

  • Function: Cocoa powder intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding extra sweetness.
  • Substitution: Dutch-processed cocoa can be used for a smoother, less acidic flavor.

Salt:

  • Function: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
  • Substitution: If using unsalted butter, increase the added salt slightly. For a different flavor profile, try sea salt flakes sprinkled on top before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of chocolate chips should I use? Can I leave them out?

We used Guittard Milk Chocolate chips in this recipe to give a contrast between dark and milk chocolate. If you are a fan of dark chocolate, use semi-sweet chocolate chunks. The whole chocolate chips that are folded in with the batter can also be successfully left out of the recipe.

Can I add nuts to these brownies?

Finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can easily be added to this recipe. We recommend 1/2 to 2/3rds cup of chopped nuts.

Should I use a metal or glass baking pan?

You can use either. For crispier crusts and edges on brownies, use a metal pan. For glass pans, you may need to add up to 5 minutes of baking time.

What kind of cocoa powder should I use?

We used Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe. In addition, it was also tested with Guittard red dutch process and Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa powder, all of which worked successfully. Hershey’s was our favorite.

Can I get the metric measurements?

Metric measurements provide the most accurate, easy-to-replicate results. The metric measurements for this recipe are included in the notes section of the recipe card below. These measurements were not run through a conversion calculator, but rather hand-weighed and tested.

Visual Guide to the Best Brownies Ever!

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Troubleshooting

  • Brownies Too Dry: This can happen if overbaked. Next time, check the brownies a few minutes earlier.
  • Brownies Too Gooey: They might need a bit more baking time. Also, ensure the correct amount of flour is used.
  • Uneven Baking: Make sure to spread the batter evenly in the pan and rotate the pan halfway through baking.

Tips From the Chef

  • Don’t Overmix: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the brownies tender.
  • Proper Measuring: Use a spoon to fill the measuring cup with flour, then level it off for an accurate measure.
  • Parchment Paper: Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cuts.
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Storage, Freezer & Reheating Instructions

To store brownies, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable plastic bag. The brownies will stay good for up to 5 days at room temperature. If you are not planning to eat the brownies within a few days, you can freeze them to extend their shelf life.

To freeze the brownies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 1 hour, or until they are firm. Then, transfer the frozen brownies to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat the brownies, simply remove them from the container and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until they are soft and chewy.

You can also warm the brownies in a 350-degree oven or microwave to enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven feel.

More Favorite Brownie Recipes

Watchthe video belowwhereRachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, FacebookWatch,orour FacebookPage,or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

Best Brownies Ever

Best Brownie Recipe Ever (13)Rachel Farnsworth

4.64 from 892 votes

This really is the Best Brownie Recipe ever! These homemade brownies are the perfect chewy fudge squares of chocolate. You'll never buy a boxed brownie mix again!

PinPrintSave Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 9 Servings

Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoons salted butter melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup melted milk chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a metal 9x9 pan with parchment paper.

  • Pour melted butter into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in sugar by hand until smooth, 30 seconds.

  • Add in eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk 1 minute.

  • Whisk in melted chocolate until combined and smooth.

  • Use a rubber spatula to stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until just combined. Stir in whole chocolate chips.

  • Pour into prepared pan and smooth out.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let cool in pan 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

METRIC MEASUREMENTS:

  • 141 grams salted butter, melted
  • 207 grams granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 12 grams vanilla extract
  • 114 grams melted milk chocolate chips
  • 99 grams all-purpose flour
  • 25 grams unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 175 grams milk chocolate chips

*Bake at 176 degrees Celsius

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brownies

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Best Brownie Recipe Ever (15)

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902 Comments

  1. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (16)
    I can confirm, these are the best brownies! I made them last night and the entire pan was eaten between four people. They were easy to make, I made them by hand, no electric mixer. They had the perfect texture. I was worried that they would be too sweet because of the milk chocolate but they weren’t. I also added walnuts. This is now my go-to brownie recipe. So good!!!

    Reply

  2. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (17)
    Delicious every time. I do tweak it and enjoy more chocolate and less sugar

    Reply

  3. Honestly the best homemade brownies I’ve ever made. These are really delicious!!

    Reply

  4. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (18)
    This is my favorite brownie recipe! After making these I haven’t had to look any further. They are delicious, soft and perfectly gooey. I love to eat them warm with a scoop of ice cream.

    Reply

  5. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (19)
    Perfect! As all your recipes I’ve tried are.

    Reply

  6. These brownies are the very best! I love them even more with walnuts in them. I brought these to my Sunday school class and one of the ladies said, “These are the best brownies ever”. I told her she just said the name of the brownies. Look no further. These are it!

    Reply

    1. Sonja, I love to use black walnuts…so much better than English walnuts for baking.

      Reply

  7. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (20)
    Just made these and it’s pretty good!

    Reply

  8. These are really good. I made them I fell in love with them.

    Reply

  9. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (21)
    These are my family’s favorite brownies! I make them all the time.

    Reply

  10. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (22)
    I made this for my birthday treat at work and all of them loved it! I used a butterscotch morsels it is so good. Try it!

    Reply

    1. Best Brownie Recipe Ever (23)
      Love this recipe. It’s thick and chocolaty and produces a rich chewy brownie. Perfect! My family and church friends love them.

      Reply

Best Brownie Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 brownie mix? ›

Best Overall Brownie Mix: Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix. When you want a delicious brownie for a baking emergency—or just to treat yourself—look no further than a box of Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies.

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 butter or oil better for brownies? ›

In brownies, both butter and oil will offer a moist, tender texture, but only butter will give the dish the aeration needed for rising brownies well. If you use a cake brownie, butter is a better option because it helps rise the batter. For denser, fudge type brownies, oil is permissable.

How to jazz up boxed brownie mix? ›

Add nuts – Add a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts if you love brownies with nuts. Add mix ins – Jazz up a basic brownie mix with chopped mini peanut butter cups, white chocolate chunks, or your favorite chopped up candy bar. Add a swirl – Swirl in spoonfuls of peanut butter or Nutella before baking.

Are Ghirardelli brownies fudgy or cakey? ›

Ghirardelli perhaps had a better chocolate flavor than Pillsbury but had dry edges. Otherwise, those brownies had an excellent texture with a fudgy center, and I thought that the addition of chocolate chips was a great touch.

How do you doctor up a box brownie mix? ›

Crushed potato chips, pretzels, and salted nuts stirred in or sprinkled on before baking can add textural interest, plus a little savoriness that can make the rich chocolate flavor more pronounced. A shower of sea salt or flaky salt like Maldon over baked brownies before slicing makes for a dramatic, sparkly finish.

Does putting brownies in the fridge make them fudgy? ›

In fact, they solidify into even more fudgy brownie bits if you chill them in the fridge before slicing and serving. If you prefer less rich and gooey brownies, add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.

Should you put brownies in the fridge after baking? ›

During the summer and in hotter climates, brownies might not last as long when stored at room temperature. If you're worried about the heat affecting the delicious taste of your brownies, we recommend storing them in the refrigerator instead. Storing brownies in the fridge can keep them fresh for up to two weeks.

Why do my brownies end up hard? ›

If your brownies are turning out dry, it's for one of two reasons - either you've overcooked the brownies or there is too much flour in your recipe. Overcooked brownies? You can tell the difference using the edges; if they are a little burnt-looking and very dry, it's likely that the brownies are overcooked.

Should you beat eggs before adding to brownie mix? ›

Cookbook author and food stylist Jerrelle Guy might have given away the secret: In an article for The Kitchn, Guy suggests the secret to a "glossy" and lifted brownie — like the ones you see in bakeries and restaurants — is to beat the eggs and the sugar together for 10 minutes before adding additional ingredients.

Should you chill brownie batter before baking? ›

In addition to keeping your brownie mix fresh, refrigerating brownie batter can also help boost the overall texture and flavor of the treat. Refrigerating helps improve the gloss and crustiness of brownies while simultaneously blending the flavors—the result? — brownie that tastes much richer and chewier.

What does melted butter do to brownies? ›

In brownies, the latter leads to cakier results because you're beating more air and lift into the batter. In doing this, you're also diffusing the chocolate flavor. Brownies made with melted butter tend to be fudgier and have a stronger cocoa flavor.

Why didn't my brownies come out fudgy? ›

Your brownies may take a few minutes longer to bake but just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't overbake otherwise they won't have that fudgy texture 🙂 enjoy!

What's the difference between fudgy and chewy brownies? ›

Fudgy brownies are moist, dense and gooey, with almost the texture of fudge, but not quite as compact. Chewy brownies are dense (like fudgy brownies), but have a little more “bite” to them or elastic texture when you chew them.

How do you keep brownies fudgy? ›

The best option is to wrap each brownie in an airtight wrapping such as plastic wrap. Wrapped brownies can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator and should be consumed within 1-2 days before they become dry and stale.

Are my brownies fudgy or undercooked? ›

To test for doneness with a toothpick, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies and pull it back out. For fudgy brownies, you'll want to see some moist crumbs attached to the toothpick when you pull it back out. If it looks like it's covered in brownie batter, the brownies will need to bake a bit longer.

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