Fudgy Best-Ever Brownies

$- 1 cup unsalted butter - 2 cups granulated sugar - 4 large eggs - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) Using high-quality cocoa powder is key. It enhances the chocolate flavor. Look for cocoa that is rich and dark. This will give your brownies a deep, fudgy taste. When it comes to chocolate chips, you can use either chips or chopped chocolate. Chips hold their shape better during baking. Chopped chocolate melts nicely, adding a rich texture. Choose what you like best! 1. Preheat oven and prepare baking pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9x13 inch baking pan and grease it with butter. You can also line it with parchment paper. This helps the brownies come out clean after baking. 2. Melt butter and combine with sugar: In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over low heat. Stir gently to avoid burning. Once melted, take it off the heat. Add 2 cups of granulated sugar to the melted butter. Mix them together until smooth. 3. Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Let the butter-sugar mix cool for a few minutes. When it feels slightly cool, add 4 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. This helps create a rich, shiny batter. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until it blends well. 4. Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully: In another bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt. This step makes sure there are no lumps. Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients. Fold gently using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this keeps the brownies fudgy. 5. Pouring batter into the pan: Once your batter is ready, pour it into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top, making sure it's even. 6. Checking for doneness and understanding baking time: Bake in your preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. This ensures your brownies stay fudgy and delicious. To get that perfect fudgy texture, don't overmix your batter. When you combine the dry and wet ingredients, fold gently. Overmixing adds air and makes them cakey. You want a thick, rich batter. After baking, let the brownies cool for at least 20 minutes. This cooling time helps them set. Cutting them too soon makes them fall apart. Use a good 9x13 inch baking pan. I recommend glass or metal. They heat evenly and help avoid burnt edges. A silicone spatula is great for mixing. It helps fold ingredients together without overworking the batter. A whisk and mixing bowls are also essential. They make your job easier and quicker. A simple way to make them look fancy is to dust the top with powdered sugar. It adds a nice touch. You can also serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm brownie and cold ice cream combo is a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy your fudgy brownies and impress your friends! {{image_4}} You can change the flavor of the brownies easily. Adding a bit of mint extract gives a fresh twist. If you love coffee, try adding espresso powder for depth. You can also swap chocolate chips for white chocolate or caramel. This change adds a sweet, creamy touch. Want gluten-free brownies? Use almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose mix. Both work well. For vegan brownies, replace eggs with flax eggs. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. Instead of butter, use coconut oil or vegan butter. These substitutes work great and keep the brownies moist. Nuts add crunch and flavor. You can use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts. Each nut brings a different taste. If you leave out the nuts, the brownies will still be rich and fudgy. The texture will change a bit, but they will still be delicious. To keep your fudgy brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps maintain their moist texture. You can use a glass or plastic container. Layer parchment paper between the brownies to prevent sticking. If you leave them at room temperature, they stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, put them in the fridge. This can extend their life up to a week. You can freeze brownies for up to three months. First, let them cool completely. Next, cut the brownies into squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Then, put the wrapped brownies in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. To reheat, take a brownie out of the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight. For a warm treat, microwave it for about 10-15 seconds. Enjoy the fudgy goodness! To check if your brownies are done, use a toothpick. Insert it in the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are ready. If the toothpick is wet with batter, bake them longer. Look for a shiny top and set edges. They should look slightly puffed but not cracked. Yes, you can use dark chocolate! You need to melt it first. Use about 1 cup of dark chocolate. Reduce the butter by a couple of tablespoons. This swap will give you a rich flavor. The texture might change a bit, but they will still taste great. Fudgy brownies have more fat and less flour. Use more butter and chocolate. Cakey brownies have more flour and eggs. Mixing techniques also matter. Mix less for fudgy brownies. This keeps them dense and moist. Adding chocolate chips helps too, making them gooey and rich. In summary, we explored how to make delicious brownies. We covered ingredients, steps, and tips for great results. Choosing quality ingredients is key, especially for cocoa powder. Mixing well is important to get the right texture. You can also modify flavors or switch ingredients for dietary needs. Store them properly to keep them fresh. Follow these steps for rich, fudgy brownies that impress anyone. Enjoy baking and experimenting with your perfect brownie recipe!$

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with these fudgy best-ever brownies. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and chocolate, these brownies are rich, gooey, and perfect for any occasion. Follow our easy step-by-step guide to create a batch that melts in your mouth. Whether you enjoy them plain or topped with ice cream, they’re sure to impress. Click through now to discover the recipe and treat yourself to these delicious brownies!

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Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy release after baking.

Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat, stirring gently until fully melted. Once melted, remove the saucepan from heat.

Combine Sugar: Immediately stir in the granulated sugar into the melted butter until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes. Once it’s slightly cool to the touch, add the eggs one at a time, mixing vigorously after each addition to create a rich, glossy batter. Stir in the pure vanilla extract until well blended.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and fine sea salt. This ensures your dry ingredients are lump-free and well-mixed.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to your wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula. Be cautious not to overmix; you want to keep the brownies fudgy.

Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the chopped walnuts or pecans (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the brownie batter.

Bake: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with the spatula to create an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. This ensures a fudgy texture.

Cool and Slice: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Once cooled, cut into generous squares for serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins | Servings: 20 squares

- Presentation Tips: For a delightful finishing touch, dust the brownies with powdered sugar or serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Enjoy!