Fudgy Brownies

$- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes - 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar - 4 large eggs at room temperature - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour - 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1 cup (150g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips - 1/2 cup (75g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) To make these fudgy brownies, you'll need simple, high-quality ingredients. Unsalted butter gives the best taste. It melts well and mixes smoothly with sugar. Granulated sugar sweetens and helps create that shiny top. Eggs add moisture and richness. Make sure they are at room temperature for the best results. Vanilla extract gives a nice flavor boost. All-purpose flour provides structure, while cocoa powder brings that deep chocolate taste. Sea salt balances sweetness. Baking powder helps the brownies rise a bit. Chocolate chips are a must for extra chocolate goodness. You can choose semi-sweet or dark chocolate, depending on your taste. If you like nuts, walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Gather these ingredients and get ready to make a treat that everyone will love! - First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps your brownies bake evenly. - Next, take a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan. Grease it with butter or cooking spray. Then, line it with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the sides. This makes it easy to lift the brownies out after baking. - In a medium saucepan, place 1 cup of cubed unsalted butter. Melt it over low heat. - Once melted, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar with a wooden spoon. Mix until smooth and shiny. - Let the butter-sugar mix cool for about 5 minutes. Then, whisk in 4 large eggs, one at a time. Make sure each egg is mixed well before adding another. Finally, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. - In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. This helps prevent lumps in your batter. - Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful; overmixing can make the brownies tough. - Now, fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and, if you want, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. Make sure they spread evenly in the batter. - Pour the thick batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out into an even layer. - Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy! - Once baked, take the brownies out of the oven. Let them cool in the pan for 15 minutes. - Carefully lift the brownies out using the parchment paper. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. - After cooling, cut into squares or rectangles. Enjoy these rich, chocolatey treats! To get the perfect fudgy texture, avoid overmixing the batter. Mix just until you see no dry flour. Overmixing makes brownies tough instead of chewy and fudgy. Use the toothpick test to check for doneness. When you insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with a few moist crumbs. If it’s clean, you may have overbaked them. Using high-quality cocoa powder makes a big difference. It adds rich flavor and depth to the brownies. I love using Dutch-processed cocoa for its smooth taste. For chocolate chips, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work best. They melt beautifully and add extra richness to each bite. When serving, cut the brownies into even squares for a neat look. You can arrange them on a decorative platter. For a touch of elegance, dust them with powdered sugar. Pair your brownies with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast. Add a few fresh berries on the side for color and flavor. {{image_4}} You can boost the taste of your brownies in fun ways. One great option is to add extracts like mint or almond. Just a teaspoon can change the flavor! Another tasty idea is to swirl in peanut butter or caramel right before baking. This adds a creamy richness that melts in your mouth. If you need gluten-free brownies, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Many brands work well in recipes. For vegan brownies, replace the eggs with flax eggs or unsweetened applesauce. You can use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep it vegan and still delicious. You can make holiday-themed fudgy brownies too! Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive touch. You can also mix in seasonal fruits like pumpkin or mashed bananas. These changes make each batch unique and perfect for any time of year. To keep your fudgy brownies fresh, wrap them tightly. Use plastic wrap or foil. Place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing works great! To freeze, cut the brownies into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped brownies in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When it comes to reheating, you have options. You can use the oven or the microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the brownies on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes. This will warm them up while keeping them fudgy. If you're in a hurry, the microwave works too. Place a brownie on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it for about 10-15 seconds. Check to make sure it’s warm but not hot. Enjoy the gooey goodness right away! Fudgy brownies can last for a week in the fridge. In the freezer, they can stay fresh for three months. Always check for signs of spoilage. If you see mold or an off smell, it's best to toss them. To keep your brownies fresh, use good storage methods. This helps maintain their rich taste and texture. Enjoy your delicious treats! To make fudgy brownies from scratch, follow these steps: - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. - Melt 1 cup of unsalted butter in a saucepan. - Stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar until smooth. - Cool the mixture, then add 4 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. - In another bowl, sift 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. - Combine dry and wet ingredients, then fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips. - Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. This will yield rich, fudgy brownies you’ll love. Fudgy brownies have more fat and less flour than cakey ones. Fudgy ones use more butter and chocolate. Cakey brownies rely on more flour and baking powder. This difference creates texture. If you want fudgy brownies, stick to the recipe's fat ratio. Yes, you can use unsweetened cocoa powder instead of chocolate. In fact, this recipe already calls for 1 cup of cocoa powder. This gives the brownies a rich chocolate flavor. Just remember to adjust the sugar if you use sweetened cocoa. If your brownies are too dry, check the baking time. Overbaking is a common cause. Try to bake for less time next time. You can also add a bit more butter or chocolate chips for moisture. This will help keep them fudgy. Absolutely! You can add nuts to your brownie batter. Chopped walnuts or pecans work well. Just fold in 1/2 cup of nuts after mixing the batter. This adds crunch and flavor to your fudgy brownies. To check if brownies are done, use a toothpick. Insert it into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are done. If it comes out clean, they may be overbaked. Keep a close eye during the last few minutes! You learned how to make fudgy brownies from scratch, starting with key ingredients. I shared simple steps to prep, mix, and bake. Tips helped you master texture, flavor, and presentation. We also discussed fun variations and storage methods. Enjoying brownies is easy when you follow these steps. Get creative and share with friends! For the best results, trust the process and have fun in your kitchen. Happy baking!$

Indulge in the ultimate treat with these decadent fudgy brownies! Made with rich chocolate and a buttery base, these brownies are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Our easy step-by-step recipe will guide you to create the perfect fudgy texture every time. Whether you enjoy them plain or with nuts, these brownies are a delightful addition to any dessert table. Click to explore the recipe and bring a taste of heaven to your kitchen!

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Ingredients

1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes

2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

4 large eggs at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour

1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup (150g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup (75g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with butter or cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting after baking.

In a medium saucepan, place the cubed butter and melt it over low heat. Once fully melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the granulated sugar using a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cool for about 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract until the batter is well blended.

In a separate mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, fine sea salt, and baking powder to ensure there are no lumps and everything is evenly combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Be cautious here; overmixing could lead to tougher brownies.

Fold in the chocolate chips and, if desired, the chopped walnuts or pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Pour the thick brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs—avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy!

Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Carefully lift the brownies out using the parchment overhang and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

After they’re cooled, cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy these decadent treats!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12-16

- Presentation Tips: For an elegant presentation, serve the brownies arranged in a square or rectangular shape on a decorative platter. Lightly dust with powdered sugar for a refined look. For an extra touch of indulgence, pair them with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream placed on the side.