Best Brownie Recipe

If you’re craving something fudgy, chocolaty, and just downright irresistible, you’ve landed in the right place. I’m excited to share what I truly believe is the best brownie recipe you’ll ever try. This recipe has been a game-changer for me — perfect for when I want something that’s both rich and tender, with just the right crumb and a little crunch from walnuts. Trust me, once you make these brownies, your family and friends will be begging for seconds!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fudgy Texture: These brownies strike the perfect balance between gooey and cakey – no dry edges here!
  • Rich Chocolate Flavor: Using dark chocolate and cocoa powder creates depth you’ll taste in every bite.
  • Simple Ingredients: No weird substitutes – just pantry staples you probably have on hand.
  • Easy to Customize: You can add nuts, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the best brownie recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet how well they come together. I like to make sure I use high-quality dark chocolate for that intense cocoa flavor, and don’t skip the instant coffee powder—it really amplifies the chocolate without making it taste like coffee!

  • All purpose flour: Sifted for lightness, which helps create a tender crumb.
  • Cocoa powder: Unsweetened, to boost that chocolate punch.
  • Baking powder: Just a small amount for a bit of lift without making the brownies cakey.
  • Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps balance the sweetness.
  • Dark chocolate: Roughly chopped for smooth melting and intense flavor.
  • Instant coffee powder: Optional but highly recommended—it enhances chocolate depth.
  • Castor sugar: Dissolves quickly for a smooth texture without grittiness.
  • Eggs: Brings moisture and structure.
  • Walnuts: Chopped for crunch and a lovely nutty contrast.
  • Chocolate chips: For pockets of melty chocolate inside and on top.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this brownie recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often play around based on what’s in my pantry or what my family’s mood calls for. Feel free to make it your own and have fun with it!

  • Nut-Free Version: I swap walnuts for pumpkin seeds or omit nuts altogether when I’m baking for someone with allergies and still get fantastic texture.
  • Extra Fudgy: Add a tablespoon more butter and skip the baking powder for a denser, gooier treat that’s like chocolate in a cup!
  • Spiced Brownies: Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne to add warmth and a subtle kick—it’s surprisingly delightful.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Use flax eggs and dairy-free butter, and swap dark chocolate for vegan-friendly bars – I’ve tried this with great results!

How to Make Best Brownie Recipe

Step 1: Prep your dry ingredients

Start by sifting your all purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder together in a bowl. This simple step helps prevent lumps and ensures your brownies bake evenly. I’ve learned that taking a little extra time here means you won’t get any unpleasant flour pockets in the final bake.

Step 2: Melt chocolate and butter with coffee powder

Next, place your salted butter, instant coffee powder, and chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. You can microwave them in short bursts or set the bowl over simmering water for a double boiler effect (my favorite method as it’s gentle and prevents burning). Stir until everything’s melted into a glossy, rich mixture, then set it aside to cool slightly. This cooling part is key—if the chocolate mixture is too hot, it’ll scramble your eggs when you mix later.

Step 3: Whisk eggs and sugar until pale

In a large mixing bowl, whisk your sugar and eggs together. You’re looking for the sugar to melt and the mixture to become lighter in color, which usually takes about 2 minutes with a hand mixer. This step is what gives your brownies a wonderful lift and tender crumb.

Step 4: Combine chocolate mixture with eggs

Slowly add your chocolate and butter mixture to the egg and sugar bowl. Remember, it should be warm but not hot! Stir gently to combine everything evenly. This is when the magic starts happening — your batter will take on a rich, shiny texture that’s begging to be baked.

Step 5: Fold in dry ingredients and mix-ins

Next, add the flour and cocoa powder mixture to your wet ingredients. Stir gently just until there are no lumps — don’t overmix, or the brownies might get tough. Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips but save a handful of chocolate chips and walnuts to sprinkle on top. This little touch adds a nice bit of texture and makes the brownies look extra inviting.

Step 6: Bake to perfection

Pour your batter into a 7-inch square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25 to 35 minutes. I usually check around the 25-minute mark by inserting a skewer—when it comes out with a few moist crumbs but isn’t wet, you’re good to go. Overbaking is the biggest pitfall, so keep an eye on it to keep the fudgy texture intact.

Step 7: Cool and cut

Once baked, let the brownies sit in the pan and cool to room temperature before cutting. I used to rush this step, but I learned the hard way that cooling prevents crumbling and helps you get clean, neat squares that hold their shape beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Best Brownie Recipe

  • Cooling Patience: Waiting for brownies to cool completely before cutting saves you from a crumbly mess.
  • Watch Your Bake Time: I learned that even a few extra minutes in the oven can turn fudgy brownies into something dense and dry.
  • Use a Sharp Knife: To get those clean edges, I run my knife under hot water before slicing – it glides through like butter.
  • Instant Coffee Magic: Adding coffee powder is a trick I picked up that really elevates the chocolate flavor without a hint of coffee taste.

How to Serve Best Brownie Recipe

Best Brownie Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I usually just sprinkle extra walnut pieces and chocolate chips on top right before baking for a rustic, homemade look. Sometimes I like dusting a bit of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce. If I’m feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes these brownies to another level.

Side Dishes

I love serving these brownies with a cup of hot coffee or a big glass of cold milk. Fresh berries on the side balance out the richness and add a burst of freshness that’s just delightful.

Creative Ways to Present

On special occasions, I like to layer brownie squares with whipped cream and fresh strawberries in glass jars for a pretty parfait effect. Or turn them into brownie pops by inserting sticks and dipping them in melted chocolate – kids and adults both go crazy for these!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover brownies keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. You can also refrigerate if your kitchen is warm — just bring to room temp before serving.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these brownies successfully by cutting them into individual squares first, wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and storing in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature or warm gently before enjoying.

Reheating

To revive the fudgy feel, I pop brownie pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly warm them in a low oven. This softens the chocolate beautifully without drying them out.

FAQs

  1. Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate in the best brownie recipe?

    Absolutely! Using milk chocolate will make your brownies sweeter and less intense in cocoa flavor. You might want to reduce the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

  2. How do I know when my brownies are done baking?

    Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center. It should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter. This ensures a fudgy texture rather than cakey or dry brownies.

  3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes! Swap the all purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the brownies from falling apart.

  4. What’s the role of instant coffee powder in this recipe?

    The instant coffee powder enhances the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee. It deepens the richness and makes the brownies taste even more decadent.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this best brownie recipe turns out every single time — it’s my go-to for celebrations, weekend treats, or whenever the chocolate craving hits hard. You’ll find that it’s straightforward enough to whip up on a busy day, but yields that bakery-quality indulgence that feels so special. I can’t wait for you to try making these your own and hear about the ways you customize them. Trust me, once you have this recipe in your back pocket, brownies will never be the same again!

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Best Brownie Recipe

Best Brownie Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 87 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9 squares
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This best brownie recipe combines rich dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and coffee for a deep, indulgent flavor. With walnuts and chocolate chips adding texture and bursts of extra chocolate, these brownies are perfectly fudgy yet crumbly. Baked in a 7-inch square dish, they yield neat, delicious squares ideal for any chocolate lover’s craving.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 100 grams All purpose flour
  • 20 grams Cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 120 grams Salted Butter
  • 200 grams Dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Instant coffee powder
  • 140 grams Castor sugar
  • 2 Eggs

Add-Ins and Toppings

  • 50 grams Walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 40 grams Chocolate chips


Instructions

  1. Prepare dry ingredients: Sieve the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder together in a bowl. Set aside to ensure no lumps and to aerate the mix.
  2. Melt butter and chocolate: In a heatproof bowl, combine the salted butter, instant coffee powder, and chopped dark chocolate. Melt them together using a microwave or a double boiler. Allow this mixture to cool slightly before using.
  3. Mix eggs and sugar: In a large bowl, whisk the castor sugar and eggs vigorously for about 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns pale and fluffy.
  4. Combine chocolate mixture: Gradually add the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar batter, mixing thoroughly but carefully to avoid cooking the eggs.
  5. Add dry ingredients: Slowly fold in the sieved flour and cocoa powder mixture until fully incorporated and smooth without any lumps.
  6. Add nuts and chocolate chips: Fold in the roughly chopped walnuts and chocolate chips, reserving a small amount of chocolate chips and walnuts for topping.
  7. Prepare baking dish: Line a 7-inch square baking dish with parchment or butter paper. Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared dish and sprinkle the reserved walnuts and chocolate chips on top.
  8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the brownies for 25 to 35 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a skewer; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
  9. Cool and serve: Let the brownies cool completely in the baking dish to room temperature before cutting into neat squares. This helps them hold their shape without crumbling. Enjoy your delicious homemade brownies!

Notes

  • Ensure the melted chocolate mixture is not hot when adding to eggs to prevent scrambling.
  • Use parchment or butter paper to easily lift brownies from the pan.
  • Don’t overbake; a slightly moist center ensures fudgy brownies.
  • Instant coffee powder enhances chocolate flavor but can be omitted if desired.
  • Storing brownies in an airtight container at room temperature keeps them fresh for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 brownie square (~50 grams)
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 18 grams
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 15 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 9 grams
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 grams
  • Trans Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 25 grams
  • Fiber: 3 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg

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