22 Best Brownie Recipes To Make When That Chocolate Craving Hits
Because who doesn’t love brownies?
Victor Protasio
As far as simple desserts go, there’s really nothing superior to a platter of gooey, fudgy brownies fresh from the oven. And while brownies may seem classic, this roundup of 22 scrumptious brownie recipes proves that there are dozens of brownie varieties worth mastering, especially if you love all things chocolate. In the mood for a standard brownie? We’re partial to our Chewy Chocolate Brownies recipe. Craving something a tad different that still delivers that iconic brownie flavor? Whip up a batch of rich Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Brownies. No matter the occasion, brownies are always a crowd favorite. Keep reading for a drool-worthy collection of brownie recipes that everyone will love!
Related: 11 Delicious Desserts You Won't Believe Are Actually Healthy-ish
Chewy Chocolate Brownies
When it comes to baking brownies, texture is key, and chewy brownies really can’t be beat. These chocolate treats come together in less than an hour, and call for ingredients like unsweetened cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract. Make sure you let the brownies cool completely before cutting them, which will result in the chewiest texture.
Fudgy Brownies
If you love brownies for their chocolatey decadence, this is the recipe for you. These treats are gooey, fudge-like, and just slightly underbaked because of a few simple tweaks. You’ll start by melting the butter and chocolate together for a thick base, and will then add a yolk in addition to the whole eggs, in order to create a fudge-like texture. Any chocolate fan is bound to love these.
Red Velvet Brownie Torte
Victor Protasio
What happens when red velvet cake and brownies join forces? The answer is this rich and decadent multi-layered treat. The brownie batter is spiked with red food coloring, and the chocolatey result is almost fudgy. A tangy cream cheese frosting officially takes the dessert over-the-top, while sprinkles add plenty of color and texture.
Malted Chocolate Brownies
Victor Protasio
This brownie recipe is unlike any other. Here, chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder is mixed with cocoa powder to add another layer of flavor, and before the brownies bake, a generous handful of chopped malted milk balls (we like Whoppers!) and a pinch of flaky sea salt get sprinkled on top. The result is brownies with a caramelized crunchy topping that’s equal parts malty, salty, and sweet. Yum!
Salted Caramel Brownie Bites
There’s a reason that brownies are often paired with salted caramel. As this recipe proves, the duo yields a sweet and salty treat that’s hard not to love. All you need to whip up this dessert is your favorite boxed brownie mix and some salted caramel chocolates, which are nestled into each confection.
Two-Ingredient Nutella Brownies
Believe it or not, all you need to make these simple brownies is eggs and Nutella. You’ll start by beating four whole eggs in a stand mixer for six to eight minutes. While you're beating the eggs in the mixer, heat a cup of Nutella in the microwave for a minute, stopping every 15 seconds to stir. Then, whisk together the eggs and Nutella without over-mixing, and pour the batter into a greased pan and bake. That’s it!
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Brownies
This brownie recipe is one to behold. Not only will you find typical brownie batter, but this dessert also calls for a layer of creamy cheesecake mixture, which is then topped with whole Oreo cookies. Then, more thick, chocolatey batter is spread on top and finished off with a cheesecake swirl, which gives these treats a beautiful marbled look.
Cranberry Cacao Nib Brownies
While cranberries may not be a popular brownie mix-in, we promise they are worth a try. Here, the fall fruit is joined by cacao nibs, and both are studded throughout the classic dessert for a bit of tartness and eye-catching color. Before placing the pan in the oven, sprinkle the tops of the brownies with an additional spoonful of cocoa nibs for extra crunch.
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
If you’ve got some peanut butter cups lying around the house, that’s basically an invitation to make these stuffed brownies. In order to make sure there’s plenty of peanut butter goodness in each bite, we suggest cutting the peanut butter cups into pieces before folding them into the brownie batter and baking.
Related: 15 Best Blondie and Brownie Recipes for Your Next Baking Session
Brownie Batter Babka Bites
What do you get when you combine brownies and babka? These bite-size treats, of course! Each one features a beautiful golden hue, thanks to an egg wash, and has just the right amount of flaky sea salt for balance. These are best served warm, straight from the oven, which shouldn’t be too difficult considering they only take 35 minutes to make.
Fudgy Chocolate Chip Walnut Brownies
Walnuts in brownies aren’t for everyone, but they do manage to add texture and an earthy flavor to the chocolate-filled dessert. Speaking of chocolate, these homemade brownies are also packed with chocolate chips and cocoa to add a bold and delicious chocolatey flavor. Worried about nut allergies? Use pepitas or sunflower seeds instead.
Peppermint Brownies
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Yes, these brownies are ideal for the winter holidays, but feel free to bake ‘em whenever that brownie craving strikes. What we love about this recipe is that the brownies are topped with a layer of creamy peppermint-flavored chocolate ganache. And that’s not all! The flavorful ganache has a layer of crunchy crushed peppermint candies, which adds even more minty flavor and texture.
Tahini Swirl Brownies
Simply Recipes / Sara Tane
Tahini, for those who don’t know, is a paste made from toasted sesame seeds. It’s often used in savory dishes, such as hummus and baba ghanoush, but also adds a wonderful layer of flavor to sweet baked goods. In addition to tahini, this ace brownie recipe also calls for toasted sesame oil, which brings even more rich sesame flavor.
Ginger Spiced Brownies
Liz Voltz
One of the (many) things we love about chocolate is that it can handle plenty of spices, and this brownie recipe is proof of that. Here, the batter is flavored with ginger, cardamom, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, and clove. Crystallized ginger tops the brownies, and adds even more warming flavor.
Instant Pot Brownies
Yes, you can make brownies in the Instant Pot, which is good to know if you want a brownie recipe that is really hands off. All you need to do is whisk the wet and dry ingredients together and pour the batter into a round baking pan insert that’s been sprayed with cooking spray and layered with parchment paper. Once the brownies are done cooking, top with a chocolate glaze and chopped pecans for even more flavor.
Pecan Pie Brownies
Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Pecan pie fans will undoubtedly love these brownies. Why? For this recipe, traditional brownies are topped with a rich layer of pecan pie filling. That filling is made with crunchy pecans, bourbon, rich brown sugar, and more, and pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate base that the brownies provide.
Caramel Brownies
Simply Recipes/Alison Bickel
The batter of these chocolate-forward brownies is thick, which is exactly how you want it in order to pair it with a homemade caramel sauce. You’ll generously drizzle that sauce over the brownies once everything has cooled, and top the treats with a sprinkle of sea salt for balance. You’ll likely have some caramel sauce leftover, which you can use as an ice cream topping or a rich dip for apple slices. We won’t tell!
Salted Dulce de Leche Brownies
While similar to caramel, dulce de leche is richer and creamier because it’s made with milk. Still, the similar condiment pairs just as well (if not better) with brownies. Here, wonderfully fudgy brownies are topped with generous dollops of that homemade dulce de leche and a generous sprinkle of sea salt. The secret to that irresistible fudginess? Corn syrup.
Mexican Brownies Recipe
Fans of Mexican hot chocolate are bound to love this brownie recipe, which includes cinnamon and cayenne pepper in addition to traditional brownie ingredients. While this recipe calls for you to make the brownies from scratch, you can also add the spices to a boxed brownie mix if you’re in a pinch.
Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Not only do these brownies look gorgeous, but they’re delicious too. The trick to that picture perfect swirl is to heat the peanut butter up just a touch before you mix it into the brownie batter, which makes it easier to work with. Then, use a knife to get that stellar swirl effect.
Related: 20 Easy Desserts You Can Make in Under an Hour
Coffee-Infused Texas Brownies
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
The recipe for Texas brownies (also called Texas sheet cake) is baked in a sheet pan, which means it’s ideal for feeding a crowd. The batter includes buttermilk, assuring a moist crumb, and a cup of strongly brewed coffee, which adds depth of flavor. Then, as if you need another reason to dig in, the brownies are topped with a boiled cocoa and butter frosting. Even with the extra steps and ingredients, these brownies are ready in under an hour.
Guinness Stout Chocolate Brownies
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Beer and brownies might not seem like a good match, but we promise it works. Why? The malt in the Guinness Stout beer intensifies the flavor of the chocolate in these delicious treats, while an array of chocolate chips brings texture and even more chocolatey flavor. Bake a batch of these brownies for for St. Patrick's Day … or any other day of the year.
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
