This King Arthur Brownie Recipe is the best brownie recipe I have ever made. It has a perfect balance of fudgy with just a touch of cakey. This recipe incorporates rich ingredients like Dutch-process cocoa and espresso powder to create the richest, fudgiest brownies!
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I’ve written many times about how much I love cookies, but I would have a hard time choosing between a chewy chocolate chip cookie and a rich, fudgy brownie. But when you add chocolate chips to the brownie, the brownie wins hands down.
Fudgy, cakey, fudgy, cakey… can’t make up your mind? If you’re looking for a brownie that’s right in between those two styles, you’ve found it. These brownies combine a fudge brownie’s ultra-moist texture with a subtle cake-like rise for the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for the best ways to cut brownies check out my How To Cut Brownies and Brownie Round Up post!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture: These brownies offer the best of both worlds, combining the moist texture of fudgy brownies with a cake-like rise.
- Shiny, crackly top: Heating the butter-sugar mixture and adding chocolate chips to the batter creates that shiny, crackly top crust that I love!
- Rich chocolate flavor: These brownies promise a deep chocolate flavor with cocoa powder and chocolate chips. The optional espresso powder further enhances that rich taste!
- Long lasting: These brownies are delicious fresh and stored. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 6 days, making them a great make-ahead dessert.
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Cocoa — I recommend Dutch-process.
- Baking powder
- Espresso powder — optional
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Chocolate chips
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make King Arthur Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan. Line with parchment paper, optional.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook until the mixture is hot, but not bubbling.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla until smooth. Add the hot butter/sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Add the flour and stir until smooth.
- Let the batter cool in the bowl for 20 minutes, and then stir in the chips. Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the brownie edges are set and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Remove them from the oven and cool completely on a rack before cutting.
Recipe FAQs
You will know when the brownies are done baking because the edges are set, and when a cake tester is inserted into the center, it comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
The easiest way to prepare a brownie pan is to spray the pan with cooking spray lightly.
I like to let the brownies cool completely in the baking dish before cutting and serving. This will result in a much cleaner cut and prettier servings.
I prefer baking brownies in a glass pan. Metal pans heat up at a much slower rate and then get very hot. Stick with the glass pans for more even baking.
Expert Tips
- Use quality ingredients: Use high-quality Dutch-process cocoa and chocolate chips for the best flavor. The optional espresso powder can significantly deepen the chocolate taste without adding a coffee flavor.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour: When incorporating the flour and chocolate chips, mix until just smooth. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense brownies by overdeveloping the gluten in the flour.
- Add some flavor: Want to spice up this recipe? Serve it with some homemade Strawberry Ice Cream!
- Reheating tip: I recommend reheating these brownies in the oven so that the top stays nice and crackly.
More Dessert Recipes To Try
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King Arthur Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
- 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups Dutch-process cocoa
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan. Line with parchment paper, optional.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook until mixture is hot (about 110°F to 120°F), but not bubbling.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder (if using), and vanilla until smooth. Add the hot butter/sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Add the flour and stir until smooth.
- Let the batter cool in the bowl for 20 minutes then stir in the chips. Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until the brownie edges are set and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Remove them from oven and cool completely on a rack before cutting.
Notes
- Store for up to 6 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Add chocolate chips to the batter to enhance the shiny top crust.
- Bake until the edges are set, but the center still looks very moist.
- Add your favorite toppings, like vanilla ice cream or even some warm hot fudge!
Denali
yayaayayayayaya
Bradly
Is this recipe using Bread flour or A.P.?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Bradly – all-purpose flour. Enjoy!
Rebecca G. Wilson
Hi Barbara, I love to bake but me and chocolate did not get along and I love chocolate! Brownies and chocolate pound cake were my true nemesis and it killed me having to buy box brownie mix. After doing a lot of reading, I came to understand the science behind chocolate, cocoa powder, baking soda verses baking powder and when I made this brownie recipe, it was and is true love! I add peanut butter chips, peanut butter filling, caramel sauce, white chocolate chips, toffee chips, and the list goes on. One thing though, I have never ever been able to take my brownies out of the oven in 30 minutes or even 40 minutes. Has anyone else had the same issue with baking times
Barbara Schieving
Hi Rebecca – it sounds like delicious ways to change it up – so glad you’re enjoying “chocolate” again. A lot of factors will determine bake time – climate, altitude, oven and the pans you’re using. I recommend keeping a notebook and printing recipes you love and makes notes on it. That way you’ll know what works for you and you’ll know for the next time.
Ricky
Hi Barbara
I love your recipe and have played around with it a few times. As often bake brownies for our children. I reduced the sugar to 300g and the chocolate to 200g but found the edges sometimes go dry. Is this because of the ingredient change?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Ricky – it’s certainly possible that it’s because of the ingredient changed. It’s also possible that you’re just overcooking it.
Nancy
Hi Barbara,
What brand/kind of chocolate chips do you use?
Thanks!
Barbara Schieving
Hi Nancy – usually I just buy a big bag of Nestle’s chocolate chips at Costco.
kaye
hi! can I add oil to the recipe? I want it quite more tender and moist than it already is. If so, how much oil can the recipe take without altering the taste?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Kaye – I wouldn’t add oil to the recipe. You can cook it for less time and that will make it more tender, you can also add a little less flour to make it more tender as well.
Dawn
What kind of King Arthur flour do you use? All purpose, self-rising, bread flour? I would love to make these today for Father’s Day!
Barbara Schieving
Hi Dawn – all purpose flour. Enjoy!
Alma@Vorrei
Making these for the second time, very good, and quick and easy. They came out moist and yummy we polish them off very quickly.
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
These look so good! I’d love to have a piece of this…or five. 😀
Rocky Mountain Woman
I use King Arthur flour almost exclusively and have never been disappointed. These look like a great idea as the days get longer and I crave something a little more substantial! And, of course, chocolate!
Carol
Oh those look dreamy……perfect for a chocolate craving! I love fudgy and chewy brownies-these would be right in my wheelhouse. The next time I make brownies, I know what recipe I’ll use.
Robin has taken a bread baking course at King Arthur flour-she lives about 45 minutes from there. She had a ball-and OHHHH did she love the store……..
Barbara Schieving
Hi Carol – how great to live so close to King Arthur Flour so you can visit the store! Let me know how you like the brownies 🙂