Chocolate Fudge Brownies (Printable)
Dense, fudgy brownies with bittersweet chocolate and optional nuts or chips for extra texture and flavor.
# Ingredient List:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 large egg yolk
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Chocolate
10 - 4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
→ Optional Add-ins
11 - ¾ cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth and glossy.
04 - Add eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Whisk thoroughly for about 1 minute until combined.
05 - Gently melt chopped chocolate over a double boiler or in 20-second microwave intervals, stirring until smooth. Allow to cool slightly before adding.
06 - Whisk the melted chocolate into the wet ingredients until evenly incorporated.
07 - Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently using a spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing.
08 - Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using, ensuring even distribution.
09 - Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
10 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
11 - Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into 16 squares.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe yields brownies that are butterily rich and have that secret fudginess that feels like a hug from a friend.
- It's simple enough for any home cook but delivers results that make you look like a pro every time.
02 -
- Don't overbake! The brownies will continue to set as they cool, so take them out when the center still looks slightly underdone.
- Folding gently is key to keeping the fudgy texture that makes these brownies so addicting.
03 -
- Use good quality chocolate—bittersweet rather than milk for richer flavor.
- Cooling the melted chocolate before mixing prevents clumps and maintains texture.