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How to Make the Best Brownies

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A step by step breakdown on how to make the absolute best fudgy AND cakey brownies.

A step by step breakdown on how to make the absolute best fudgy AND cakey brownies.

  • Author: Sarah Fennel
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 16 brownies
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: american
  • Author: Sarah Fennel
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 16 brownies
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: american
Units:

Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 8 x 8″ baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
    2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and sugar. Microwave for 30 seconds, then remove and stir with a whisk. Repeat process 2 more times. Though granules of sugar will remain, the goal is to get the mixture to a glossy finish.
    3. Allow mixture to cool slightly, then add in eggs one at a time, whisking in between each addition. Whisk until the mixture lightens in color slightly.
    4. Add in cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Fold in flour until just combined.
    5. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and bake for roughly 25 minutes, testing for doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the brownies beginning at 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edge is set, but a knife inserted into the middle still comes out with a bit of brownie batter on it. It might take up to 35 minutes for them to cook through depending on your oven!
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Notes

  1. If you would like to make these in a 9 x 9-inch pan you can just double the recipe!
  2. Make sure you’re using a high quality cocoa powder. I’ve made the with both Dutch processed cocoa powder as well as natural. I prefer to use Dutch processed as it has a smoother, deeper flavor, but natural will also work if it’s all you  have on hand.
  3. Be careful not to over bake your brownies. When you insert a knife into the middle you’ll want it to come out a little gooey as the brownies will continue to bake as they cool.