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Too many times I’ve heard friends say: “but homemade brownies are never like the box.” Well, that is true no more! You just need the right recipe and if that was you, this is the one for you.
Box brownies have a few things right.
- They’re always consistent when you bake them.
- Each time you will get a fudgy brownie with a crackly top.
But what they lack is real chocolate flavor. Yes, they’re sweet and maybe have hints of chocolate, but not rich delicious chocolate.
To indulge in a brownie, they should be worth every single bite. The ingredients are fairly simple and there aren’t too many of them, so each one matters. First, we need to be on the same page: these are fudgy brownies. Not cakey, not lofty, but dense, rich, and fudgy.
To achieve the right level of fudgy-ness the amount of flour and melted chocolate is key. The less flour a baked good has, the more gooey or soft it usually becomes. These have just the right amount of flour to give them structure and texture but keep them gooey in the center.
Adding to the texture in these brownies is the melted chocolate and butter. Chocolate plays many roles in brownies and when melted with the butter, the texture is exactly what you crave.
Bring on the chocolate!
The most important part of a brownie is the chocolate. They can look right, but if they don’t taste good, what’s the point? Here’s how these brownies make sure to pack a chocolate punch:
- Some chocolate is melted and mixed in with the batter. That gives a good base flavor.
- Adding semi-sweet and milk chocolate chunks into the batter intensifies the flavor and ensures each bite will have chocolate.
- Espresso powder is added right into the batter. The powder does not give any coffee or mocha flavor, but does a lot to increase the chocolate flavor.
All of these ingredients create the ultimate brownie! They’re still nostalgic but updated to a ensure perfect bite each time.
Watch how to make these fudgy brownies
Ultimate Homemade Fudgy Brownies
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 4 oz bittersweet chocolate
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate roughly chopped
- 4 oz milk chocolate roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Line with parchment to fit the bottom of the pan and overhang the sides. Grease parchment and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped bittersweet chocolate and butter. Microwave in 30-second increments until the butter and chocolate are melted and combined. Set aside to cool slightly.4 oz bittersweet chocolate, 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add eggs and vanilla to the melted chocolate, whisking to combine.¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 tsp espresso powder, ½ tsp kosher salt, 2 large eggs, 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Add the eggs and chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients. Whisk or fold until only a few dry streaks remain. Do not over mix the batter or the brownies could become tough. Add chopped semi-sweet and milk chocolate. Fold to incorporate.4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, 4 oz milk chocolate
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread to an even layer. Place in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. The edges will become set but the center will slightly jiggle. Do not overbake! If the center is completely set when you pull the brownies out, they will be dry and have less flavor!
- Let cool completely in the pan for two hours. Remove brownies using parchment sling and slice.
My new best friend. I must say-your videos remind me of Entertaining With Beth; but better.
I am glad I tripped upon your site.
I can’t wait to make these! If they are as good as your chocolate chip cookie recipe I’m soooo excited!
Love watching you and trying your recipes…I literally haven’t made one thats not fantastic! XOXO
Wahoo, so glad you are going to make them!
Looks delicious… I am going to make them!
If I want to add some walnuts and dates, how would I modify the recipe? Can I just stir in some of each? Any change to baking time?
Thanks!
Walnuts are an easy addition, I would toast about 1 cup and then chop and add to the batter! As for dates that can be different. Dates have a lot of moisture and could change the recipe outcome. These brownies already are fudgey almost gooey in the center and I think dates may add too much moisture.
After reading your reply, I thought it best to try your original recipe. Excellent!
Next time I will add walnuts. The sugar is just right! Coffee is imperceptible.
Now I just wish my workspace is as clean as yours!
Thanks!
Great recipe thank you so much
So glad you like the recipe!
Delish!!
Hi Caleb, I watch your videos on Instagram all the time. I thought you used one cup of flour, but your recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup. Did you just estimate up in the video?
Best, Maureen
Hello! Thanks for watching and following along! I used 3/4 cup in the video like I wrote in the recipe! I have a 3/4 cup measuring cup in the set so it was willed to the top!
Made these yesterday for Valentines, and WOW! The best I’ve ever tasted!!! I spread the word on my FB page and texted recipe to many of my friends. This is the only way I will ever make brownies again. I made them exactly as you did, and instructed everyone to do the same. Thank you Kaleb!
Thank you for spreading the word! I am so glad you loved the brownies as much as I do!
Is the espresso powder the same as instant espresso. I do t drink any type of coffee, so I’m lost.
I used Bustelos, which is ground espresso coffee. I literally just put mine in the oven I can’t wait to try them!
Just wrote down your recipe I’m going to make these.
I remember doing those box ones. They were so dense they stuck all over your teeth 😂
Yours look like those and I bet are better for you!
Can’t wait to bite into them, chocolate, dense, crackly top goodness!!!!
I can’t wait to make them, thank you Kaleb. chocolate chocolate chocolate chocolate chocolate
This is an outstanding recipe. Decadent and delicious! Thanks, Caleb!
Can I use coconut oil instead of butter as I can’t have dairy?
Love Love your videos.
Makes me so happy watching you.
Great recipes and your personality reminds me of my grandson ♥️
Sooooo good!!
Made these yesterday, absolute perfection!
Never made brownies from scratch before, and
I will never make brownies from a box again!!! Great recipe! I added walnuts… served with vanilla bean ice cream! Super easy, impressive, delicious… Thank you for sharing!!!!
Oh my goodness. They are off the chain delicious…..I made Wyseguide’s lasagna tonight and brownies for Valentine’s dinner….:brownies are done and cooked,
Lasagna is in the oven cooking…..so excited to try it too.
Fudgy chocolaty deliciousness. You warned about leaving the middle jiggly, but I baked them a tad too long. Learned my lesson. Warmed them with ice cream on top for about 13 seconds. Sooooo good.
Love watching and learning from you.
Thank you , Kaleb for all of your wonderful posts. I made your browny recipe today! YUMMM! So delicious! I reduced the sugar to 3/4 cups, (I like desserts less sweetened).
This made my Valentine’s Day!
Made these today. I substituted coffee as I didn’t have espresso powder. So easy, and so full of deep chocolate flavor!
Wahoo!! Always substitute when needed, so glad you enjoyed!
I have to say that I am a frequent baker and pretty much bake everything from scratch, breads , pastries, cakes. I have always been of the mind that some brands of box brownies are really good. I made the chocolate chip cookies last week and they came out terrific. So I decided to try these. I needed to make a smaller dessert to bring to a friend’s house for dinner. They were delicious.
You convinced me! I bought all the ingredients and my first batch are in the oven. They are looking and smelling amazing. I enjoy watching your videos…you bring light. 🙂
I just made these this morning! Thank you for the wonderful recipe! My husband is going to be so happy when he gets home from work.
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!!
Where have these been my whole life!!
I made these today because, why not??? Yeah, DELICIOUS!!!!
I made them twice now.. Absolutely delish. I call them my $30.00 brownies because I didn’t have half the ingredients the first time and was surprised to see how expensive it was but I have everything now. Worth the money! Everyone loves them. Thank you
Can’t wait to make the brownies. you are great! espresso powder is like instant coffee? thank you so much.
Silvia.
I tried these yesterday and they are the best!!!! Thank you for sharing. I really enjoy your content. I wish I was being attentive while my grandmas were cooking.
Absolutely delicious! I love a good homemade brownie, and these are perfect. The chunks of good milk and semi-sweet chocolate are a perfect touch! This recipe is a keeper and I’m definitely going to be making it again!
Really really great tasting brownies! They were a big hit with everyone. Thanks so much for sharing Kaleb 🙂
Kaleb, thank you for what you do! I have made some really yummy things watching you! Your planting, cooking and personality have won me over big time! Keep up the amazing videos!
Delicious ! the parchment sleeve made the edges a little wonkey as it crinkled in the curves of the pan next time ill cut it thinner . I was a little thrown by the “ dutch process coca” . I couldn’t find it in my local grocery store so i used regular .
Ghiardelli didn’t have the milk chocolate in the store so i used Hersheys chocolate.
Love your videos & recipes. Unable to find Dutch chocolate powder mentioned in brownie recipe. Please suggest a brand to purchase. Many thanks.
I used Hershey’s Special Dark, and they were wonderful. I suppose any powdered cocoa would work!
Rich, decadent and oh so chocolately! Worth every calorie 😉
Hey Kaleb!
I made this recipe today, using gluten-free flour! It was AMAZING!
Thank you for the wonderful recipes! I’ve made so many, including your family peanut brittle over the holidays! Been watching you since you started and I think you’re fabulous!
Oooh glad to see you tried with GF flour. Going to make these today!
Thanks
PS Caleb your recipes are the best!
Hi Kaleb,
I made these brownies and they were absolutely delicious……I doubled the recipe, added walnuts…everybody loved them!
Thanks so much for a fantabulous recipe!
I love your videos. You always make me smile!
Greetings from Germany❤️
I made these brownies on a whim as I needed something to take to a cookout and your recipe looked easy. I must say that they were the hit beside the corn cooked on the grill of the day. They are the best that I have ever had and you are right, they take absolutely nothing to make. Thank you so much for sharing your video and your recipe. I am so glad that I have found you and so look forward to all of you post.
Watched your video on canning peaches! I tried your recipe step by step and they came out perfect! Can’t wait to try fresh canned peaches this winter!!!!!!!
love the recipe and have learned a lot of things from seeing you Thank You.
Elaine from NJ
You should consider cracking your eggs separately to make sure you dont have a bad egg. If you do your dish is ruined.
Making brownies tomorrow! YUM! Thanks for recipe!
It would be nice if you would let me know just what brand of chocolate bar you added to your recipe. Are you talking candy bars? I have no idea what to buy.
If you shared some of the brand names I bet they would start sponsoring you. And your public would know what to buy.
My friend’s daughter, mentions brand names in her videos. All of a sudden she started getting gifts from the companies. Now she gets fertilizer, plants, seeds , outside pots, trees, etc. She does mostly a garden show and landscapes her own yard. She even got a kitchen aide mixer. She has a garden show and bakes something once in a while and talks about decorating her home.
hello! i like to try tour recipe, but how do i adjust the measure for a 9x 9 pan? thank you ! looking ofrward to your reply
HELLOOOOOO! I LOVEEE YOUR RECIPES, VIDEOS AND THOROUGHLY ENJOY EVERY BIT OF IT! YOU ARE WONDERFUL TO WATCH. THANK YOU!
This recipe is amazing. The brownies have a heightened level of chocolate and they are moist and fudge like in the middle. Just the perfect consistency and flavor. My new go to.
I made these brownies last night. Totally DELICIOUS and DECADENT! Truly the best brownies I have ever eaten and yet so easy to make! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
I just made your brownies! I noticed that before I opened the recipe the ingredients said 8 oz. of bittersweet chocolate but when I opened the recipe on Pinterest, it said 4 oz. Which is the correct amount. I hope it is 4 oz. because that is what I used!
Kaleb, will the recipe be the same, if I just add half of each Ghirardelli chocolate bars, I have made these before and so so rich, would I need to add less of anything???? I absolutely loved them, but very rich I was just wanting to tone that down just a bit…
your the best thank you….
Wow! I’ve tried many homemade brownies recipes before but this one hands down is the best! I followed the recipe and only substituted the Dutch cocoa powder with the Hershey’s dark unsweetened powder and it came out amazing! Chewy and gooey just the way brownies should be!
Hello Kaleb
These are the most delicious, crackly topped brownies I have ever had the pleasure of making and eating! Thanks for the great recipe. They tick every box of an exceptional brownie. Thanks for the recipe.