Brownies

Published Oct. 11, 2023

Brownies
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
45 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
5(2,973)
Comments
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There are many kinds of brownies, but this simple recipe aims for a chewy, fudgy texture with a shiny, crackly top. Theories abound on what creates that delectable flaky top layer, but here, it is achieved by dissolving the sugar into the butter, then stirring in chocolate chips until melted. Use semisweet chocolate for sweeter brownies, or dark for a slightly more grownup treat, and feel free to stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans before baking if you like a little extra crunch. For easy cutting, let the brownies cool completely and use a hot, dry knife, wiping off the crumbs in between cuts.

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Ingredients

Yield:9 to 12 servings
  • Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
  • ½cup /113 grams unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 1cup/200 grams granulated sugar
  • ½cup/86 grams dark or semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2large eggs
  • 1teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½cup/47 grams unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½cup/64 grams all-purpose flour
  • ½teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon baking soda
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

213 calories; 12 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 21 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 107 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 325 degrees, with a rack positioned in the center. Grease an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Combine the butter and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter comes to a simmer. Turn off the heat, then add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. (The mixture will be grainy at this point.) Pour into a large mixing bowl and set aside until just warm to the touch.

  3. Step 3

    Add the eggs and vanilla to the mixing bowl and whisk vigorously for 1 minute, until pale and glossy. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until incorporated. Add the flour, salt and baking soda and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.

  4. Step 4

    Bake brownies until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs on it, 30 to 33 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Brownies will keep for up to 3 days, well-wrapped at room temperature.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
2,973 user ratings
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Comments

Forget all of that. I owned a brownie company for 32 years. 1 pound of sugar. 3/4 pound of all purpose flour. 5 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate. 1 pound of unsalted butter. 5 large eggs beaten. (Optional, 12 oz of walnuts or pecans.) In saucepan melt butter and chocolate, add sugar, next add eggs, then flour, finally add nuts. Heat oven to 350 degrees. using 8 by 11 (or close to that) greased and floured baking pan (or parchment paper), depending on your oven, 40 minutes or so.

Seeing this recipe & all the great reviews, I knew I needed to make these brownies. Though Rashid’s recipe also intrigued me, given his 32 year ownership of a brownie factory, & simpler recipe all mixed in one pot. Solution: bake both Sorry Rashid, there is simply no comparison to Lidey’s truly amazing recipe, with its moist, rich, very chocolaty brownies, having just the right balance between almost cakey to nice and fudgie. Not to mention the shiny, crackly top layer. Just wonderful!

I always use an instant-read thermometer to test doneness now; brownies are done at 206 deg F. That way, you get a perfectly moist and fudgy brownie once they cool. I start checking at the shortest recommended baking time.

I've tried countless brownie recipes that were absolute flops, so I was a little hesitant to try another. I shouldn't have been! Lidey's recipe is perfect, down to the crackly top. I followed the recipe as written, only adding walnuts, and baked them for 32 minutes. Total perfection!

Are the degrees in farenheit or celsius?

I made these a month or so ago and found them to be delicious, but they didn't have enough chocolate 'oomph'. When I made them again yesterday, I added another 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter (after adding the flour). WOW! You want oomph? This is it!

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