Hey there, fellow dessert enthusiasts! Today, I've got a treat that will blow your taste buds away – the absolute BEST Homemade Brownies! These babies are so moist, fudgy, and chewy that you won't be able to resist having seconds. Trust me; these brownies are loaded with chocolatey goodness that will make your sweet tooth sing with joy!
Prep Time in a Snap!
Let's dive right into it, shall we? This easy peasy recipe comes together in just a few minutes. No complicated steps, no fuss – just pure indulgence. So, let's gather our ingredients and get started!
What You'll Need:
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter, still hot
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar (see note for a little tweak)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour*
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Let's Bake Those Brownies!
Before we go any further, let's preheat our oven to a toasty 350°F. While that's warming up, let's grab an 8×8 (or 9×9 if that's what you have) square pan and line it with some foil or parchment paper. Leave a couple of inches of overhang on two sides, and you'll thank me later when it's time for easy removal.
Now, grease up that foil/parchment – we don't want our delightful brownies sticking to the pan, do we?
The Magic Mixing
Alrighty, now it's time to work some magic with our mixing skills. In a large bowl, let's combine that granulated sugar and hot melted butter. Give it a little stir and then let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. This little trick helps create that gorgeous shiny and crackly crust that makes these brownies so irresistible.
After the 5 minutes are up, grab that whisk and vigorously mix the butter and sugar for about 30 seconds. The sugar won't fully dissolve, but don't worry, it'll all come together beautifully. Now, add in the eggs, water, and vanilla extract, and whisk again for another 30 seconds. And hey, don't forget to give that whisk a little tap to get all the yummy batter off it before you remove it from the bowl.
The Chocolatey Goodness
Now comes the chocolicious part! Sprinkle the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, flour, and salt over the wet ingredients, and get ready for some stirring action. Use a rubber spatula, silicone spatula, or a trusty wooden spoon to stir it all together until it's glossy and well combined. And for the grand finale, stir in those heavenly chocolate chips.
Into the Oven They Go!
Pour that heavenly batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top – we want our brownies to look as good as they taste. Pop that pan into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. For the 8×8 pan, bake for 28-33 minutes (start checking at 28 minutes). And if you're using the 9×9 pan, bake for 18-23 minutes (start checking at 18 minutes). We want the brownies to be done when a toothpick inserted just outside the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs attached, but no raw batter. Yum!
Let's Satisfy that Sweet Tooth!
Oh, the aroma that fills the kitchen when these beauties are baking is simply divine. Once they're ready, take the pan out of the oven, and let it cool on a wire rack. And trust me, the patience will be worth it when you sink your teeth into these delightful, chocolaty squares of heaven.
Get Creative with Your Brownies!
Now, if you're feeling a little adventurous, I've got some optional add-ins that will take your brownies to a whole new level of deliciousness:
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Espresso Powder: Add 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder along with the dry ingredients for an even more intense chocolate flavor. Mmm, coffee and chocolate – a match made in dessert heaven!
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Nuts: If you're a fan of some nutty goodness, toss in ⅓ cup of chopped walnuts into the batter along with those chocolate chips. Crunchy and chocolaty – a winning combination!
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Variety of "Chips": Don't be shy to mix things up with a combination of dark, semisweet, and/or milk chocolate chips in these brownies. Get ready for a taste explosion!
A Little Note on Sweetness
If you're looking to cut back on the sweetness just a tad, here's a little tip for you. I've tried reducing the powdered sugar from ⅔ cup to ⅓ cup, and I must say, the slightly less sweet taste is just perfect for me. But hey, feel free to do either measurement based on how sweet you like your brownies. It's all about personal preference here!
Nutritional Tidbits
Now, I know we're all about indulgence here, but it's good to know what we're getting into, right? These divine brownies have approximately 287 calories per serving. And if you're curious about the rest, here's a rough estimate of the nutritional breakdown (keep in mind it might vary a bit based on the products and serving sizes you use):
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 54mg
- Sodium: 188mg
- Potassium: 93mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 33g
- Vitamin A: 315IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 32mg
- Iron: 1mg
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, my fellow dessert aficionados – the recipe for the most irresistible Fudgy Homemade Brownies. Easy to make, heavenly to taste, and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Remember, with a little creativity and a lot of chocolate, you can always customize these brownies to suit your taste buds. So, go ahead and bake a batch, and be ready to impress your friends and family with your newfound brownie prowess.
Happy baking, and enjoy every chocolaty bite!