The realm of brownie recipes is one I really appreciate. They can be delightful little fudgy things, but they can also be so much more.
They can be chewy; they can be chocolaty. They can be salted caramel (seriously!).
My understanding is that a good brownie can be made with or without flour, and the best of them can be made with healthful, nutritious ingredients. The recipes below range from the far-too-indulgent even-for-me category to the nutritionally decent side.
I couldn’t bring myself to tint any of them “healthy,” because that term generally has a negative connotation and conjures up poached eggs or protein smoothies. I guarantee they’ll satisfy any and all brownie cravings.
The 10 Best brownie recipes
1. Classic Fudgy Brownies
Classic fudgy brownies are delicious, chocolatey luxuries using the basic staples of any well-stocked pantry: unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder. That’s all they really need to be everything a brownie should be and more.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter. Take the saucepan off the heat and mix in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt together; mix until just combined.
4. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges look set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely before slicing.
2. Chewy Chocolate Brownies
Rich and decadent treats await in Chewy Chocolate Brownies. These delicious baked goods begin with unsalted butter mixed with granulated sugar and large eggs.
The dry ingredients—flour, cocoa powder, and salt—are combined and then folded into the wet ingredients, along with some vanilla extract, before the batter is poured into a prepared 9×13-inch pan and baked.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up. Next, grab a pan that measures 9×13 inches and has a decent height to it. Very important: Grease the living daylights out of this pan. You want it to be practically shining with grease.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, then take it off the heat, and mix in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is well incorporated.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, and wisk well, then add gradually to the butter mixture (which should be smooth) until totally combined.
4. Put the prepared batter into the baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool before cutting into squares.
3. Salted Caramel Brownies
Brownies with Salted Caramel are made by mixing rich bittersweet chocolate, in both chopped and melted form, with smooth butter, and then layering the resulting batter with a hint of sea salt; the drizzle of luscious salted caramel, done in a close-to-liquid form, and done plainly (no fancy piping here), is added just after the brownies emerge from the oven. Could it be?
Could brownies with salted caramel really be this simple?
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a baking dish that is 9 inches by 13 inches with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and bittersweet chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. In a big basin, combine the sugar and eggs until adequately blended. Add the melted chocolate mixture in a slow manner, then blend in the flour, cocoa powder, and sea salt until just combined.
4. Put half of the batter into the pan that has been prepared in advance, drizzle over it salted caramel sauce, then spread the remaining batter on top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until set. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
4. Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies mix the cocoa richness of unsweetened cocoa powder and the creaminess of peanut butter. Chewy and moist, they feature a delightful peanut butter flavor set against the butter brownie batter.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with grease.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Take the saucepan off of the heat and mix in the sugar and eggs. Stir thoroughly before adding the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Mix until everything is combined.
3. Put the brownie batter into the pan that has been prepared. Scoop peanut butter and drop it onto the batter. Use a knife to mix the peanut butter in with the batter.
4. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out with only a couple of wet crumbs. Allow to cool before cutting and serving.
5. Espresso Brownies
Espresso Brownies are rich, chocolatey treats infused with espresso powder, enhancing the cocoa flavor. They are made with unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and cocoa powder.
For coffee enthusiasts, these cookies are an ideal choice.
Ingredients
espresso powder
unsalted butter
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
cocoa powder
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to warm up while you ready the baking dish. You’ll need an 8×8 inch pan, which can be exactly as specified or in a similar range nearness, with an interior clear of obstacles that might impede the batter’s flow. You may choose to line the pan with parchment paper, nearly seamless from edge to edge, or to lightly smear the pan with a grease of your choice, both good to go. Both allow for a clean release of the baked item.
2. In a low-temperature saucepan, melt the butter that has no salt. Stir into it the espresso powder and the granulated sugar until they are combined well.
3. Take it off the heat and allow it to cool just a bit. Then work in the eggs and vanilla extract. Combine the cocoa powder and flour, and beat the devil out of them until you have a smooth batter.
4. The batter should be poured into the prepared baking pan and baked for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. The cake should be cooled before being sliced and served.
6. Tahini Brownies
Brownies made with tahini combine the richness of unsweetened cocoa powder and the unique flavor of tahini with the sweetness of granulated sugar, which, in this recipe, balances the flavors. The tahini enhances the smoothness of the batter, which also contains melted butter and vanilla extract.
Ingredients
1/2 cup tahini
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Set your oven to bake at 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, tahini, and sugar, and stir until smooth.
3. Add the eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Place the batter into the pan that has been prepared for baking and put it in the oven set to 350F for 25 to 30 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Let cool to room temperature before cutting and serving.
7. Matcha White Chocolate Brownies
Brownies made with matcha powder and chopped-up white chocolate are some of the best brownies you’ll ever eat. The creamy, sweet, and kind of nutty flavor of white chocolate perfectly complements the lightly grassy and creamy flavor of matcha, combined with a hint of vanilla.
And if you don’t have white chocolate on hand, don’t worry—these brownies are also great made with dark chocolate.
Here is a brief recipe for Matcha White Chocolate Brownies:
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
7 oz white chocolate, chopped
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon matcha powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to heat, and set about to prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish. Line the dish with parchment paper. You will next measure out the following ingredients.
2. In a low saucepan, melt the butter and white chocolate together, stirring until smooth. Let it cool a bit.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, the sugar, and the vanilla extract until combined. Then, slowly mix in the melted chocolate mixture.
4. Sift the flour and matcha powder together, then fold them into the mixture gently until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan you prepared and spread it to the edges.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool before slicing into squares.
8. Black Bean Brownies
Black Bean Brownies take a delightful twist on the classic dessert. Instead of the traditional brownie ingredients, these have black beans, eggs, and cocoa powder.
They offer a fudgy texture and rich chocolate flavor. Plus, they’re an excellent source of protein and fiber, nutritionally boosting dessert.
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar or honey
1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up and prepare a baking dish measuring 9×9 inches by applying a layer of grease. This will help ensure your dish turns out well.
2. Using a food processor, blend together the black beans, eggs, cocoa powder, sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder.
3. Fill the greased baking dish with the batter, then smooth the top of the batter. Use a spatula if necessary.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate and nuts, if using.
9. Olive Oil and Sea Salt Brownies
Brownies with Olive Oil and Sea Salt combine rich cocoa with the subtle fruitiness of extra virgin olive oil. A hint of sea salt on top makes these rich brownies a sweet-and-savory, perfect-anytime dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 large eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up and grab an 8×8 inch baking pan. Prepare the pan by placing parchment paper inside, ensuring that the paper lines the bottom and sides of the pan.
2. In a bowl of medium size, combine the olive oil and sugar, and whisk them together very well until they form a smooth emulsion—this is your wet base. Now add three eggs, one at a time: mix each one into the wet base with medium speed until it is fully incorporated before adding the next. You will have a light-colored, thick, smooth mixture in the bowl when you are done.
3. Sift the cocoa powder, flour, and baking powder, and gently fold the mixture until just combined.
4. Fill the batter into the baking pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool before cutting into squares.
10. Sweet Potato Brownies
Brownies made from sweet potatoes have an amazing taste, and thus, are a wonderful dessert. To create this dish, you simply mix together cooked and mashed sweet potatoes with almond butter, cocoa powder, a bit of maple syrup, and a dash of vanilla.
That’s a super short ingredient list. And the reason and the best part: It’s the only dessert you can feel good about serving because it contains no refined sugar, no flour, and no nonsense.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish 8×8 inches in size with parchment. Make sure to prepare the dish so that the finished product will be easy to remove.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the following until smooth and well blended: o 1 cup mashed sweet potato o 1/2 cup almond butter o 1/2 cup cocoa powder o 1/2 cup maple syrup o 1 tsp vanilla extract o 1/2 tsp baking soda o 1/4 tsp saltAnd yes, double-check that the cocoa powder is indeed cocoa powder and not hot cocoa mix. The latter has added sugar and dried milk, which would not work in this recipe. Also, know that any time a sweet potato is used in a recipe (whether it’s for Sweet Potato Brownies or Sweet Potato Spirals), the end result is bound to be lightly sweetened, even if the recipe itself calls for little or no sugar.
3. Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
4. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the brownies are firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Let cool before cutting and serving.
