This Surprising Pantry Ingredient Will Transform Your Brownies

Anyone who has tasted a spoonful of salted caramel or a chocolate chip cookie with a sprinkling of Maldon on top knows that salt is a key ingredient in desserts. It's a delicate balancing act, and when done well, sweet and salty can enhance each other and make a dish extra delicious. But what if a salty ingredient could do even more than that?

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Why You Should Put Soy Sauce In Brownies

Replacing salt with soy sauce in savory recipes is nothing new—nearly all cooks have a bottle in their pantries these days. But soy sauce's entry into the dessert world isn't as common—yet.

I first encountered soy sauce brownies in Hetty McKinnon's To Asia With Love: Everyday Asian Recipes and Stories From The Heart, a fantastic cookbook that has become a go-to source of inspiration for me. I made her Flourless Soy Sauce Brownies, somewhat skeptically, for a gathering of friends and crossed my fingers that the recipe would work.

Her brownie recipe calls for no salt at all, only 3 to 4 teaspoons of tamari or gluten-free soy sauce. (The recipe is gluten-free, but you can use any soy sauce if that is not a concern for you.) The range is helpful because it gives you a little flexibility depending on how salty you like your desserts.

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What Do Soy Sauce Brownies Taste Like?

The result? At first, I couldn't tell much of a difference. But on second bite, I detected a subtle caramelized flavor and hint of savoriness that seemed to boost the flavor of the brownie. McKinnon writes: "Where salt is widely used to amplify the 'chocolatey' flavors in desserts, soy sauce brings a rich caramel glow. The taste very much resembles salted caramel."

Like putting espresso powder in banana bread or chocolate baked goods, the soy sauce is a background note that brings the entire flavor of the dessert into sharper focus. You might not notice that it's there, but you'll notice that whatever you're eating tastes really good.

And at the very least, soy sauce can be a handy substitute for salt in chocolate-based recipes like brownies, muffins, or quick breads if you've run out of salt.

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Brownie Recipes To Try

Experiment with soy sauce and see for yourself with these simple brownie recipes. Use the same amount of soy sauce as the salt that is called for in the recipe.

• Best-Ever Brownies: Rich, fudgy, and everything you want in a classic brownie.

• Peanut Butter Brownies: Add a subtle toasty, savory note that will pair well with peanut butter.

• Caramel Brownies: Soy and caramel are a delicious match.
  

Related: 32 Homemade Brownie Recipes That Will Wow At Every Bake Sale

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