There are few pleasures simpler and more satisfying in life than biting into a creamy, chocolate-y brownie. We know, and we’ve got you covered.
If there’s one thing America can do, it’s desserts. Apple pie, cookies, brownies… You get the picture. We definitely love our desserts. So, without further ado, we present to you America’s best brownie joints. Read and watch your mouth water. And then, maybe go and buy yourself a brownie. Or, if you’re up for it, bake yourself some with this handy recipe (remember to share with us, okay?).
1. Baked and Wired, Washington, DC
Photo courtesy of @daniel_liong on Instagram
Coated lovingly with fudge and Callebut chocolate shipped all the way from Belgium, this place takes brownies to a whole new level. Try their simple “Plain Jane” with good ol’ fudge and choco brownie, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, go for the “Jolt” with espresso cream cheese brownie batter, peanut butter and chocolate chips, and crushed peanuts to really get your day going. Looking for more delicious places to eat in the Georgetown area? We’ve got you covered here.
2. Baker Miller, Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy of Dellomano on dellomano.com.au
Baker Miller actually sorts its own grains, making it extremely unique among the bakery set. Which basically means they wanna carb you up. What makes their brownie so extremely unique? Their insanely good truffle brownie. Trust us, this brownie will make your life. For more delicious foods in the Windy City, read this.
3. Dominique Ansel, New York, NY
Photo courtesy of Time Out NYC on timeout.com
The Parisian born pastry top chef of the Big Apple with the most magic touch, he may be famous for inventing the cronut (aka the most genius croissant-donut hybrid pastry ever), but he’s got way more up his sleeve. Visit his chic Soho location for his insanely good looking sage brownie which will literally send you into raptures. Want to know more about what this French chef has got up his sleeve? Check out this interview we did with him!
4. Freed’s Bakery, Las Vegas, NV
Photo courtesy of Freed’s Bakery on Facebook
Specializing in fancy wedding cakes (for all those eloping celebrities, you know), Freed’s Bakery definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to making pastries. That especially goes for brownies. Their brownies are juicy and perfectly topped with delicious icing, there’s no way you’ll be able to resist. If you’re feeling hungry for more, try out this restaurant we’ve tried and reviewed for you.
5. Beverly Hills Brownie Company, Beverly Hills, CA
Photo courtesy of Beverly Hills Brownie Company on Facebook
The it place to go for brownies for your favorite celebrities, celebrate the 90210 life while eating some of the most delicious brownies you’ll get in Hollywoodland. Some specialities include 24k gold carat covered brownies (!!!) along with brownie petites (’cause you’re soooo into saving calories — JK, that just means we can eat more of ’em ’cause they’re small). For more places to eat in the greater Los Angeles area, read this.
6. Martha’s Country Bakery, Forest Hills, NY
Photo courtesy of Martha’s Country Bakery on Facebook
Martha’s Country Bakery has one mission: to fill their stores with the most delicious smelling foods, and, well, we think they’ve kinda succeeded, ’cause our mouths are watering like cra-zy. Everything’s baked fresh and from scratch, and boy do we appreciate it. Plus, if you love coffee, they even offer a coffee bar so you’ve got something to sip on with your noms. Are you a NYC food lover? We’ve got some truths for you here.
7. Huckleberry, Santa Monica, CA
Photo courtesy of A Scattergood on laweekly.com
Head chef Zoe Nathan knows her stuff, tip-toeing the line between comfort food and fancy desserts, making you feel like you’re eating your mama’s baking (if your mom was a Michelin-starred chef, of course). Made of 66% Valrhona (super premium French chocolate from Tain l’Hermitage near Lyon) and “an insanely small amount of flour,” the brownies are basically like eating a straight up gooey chunk of chocolate aka perfection. Still hungry? Here’s some good eats you can find on iconic LA streets.
8. LovePuppies Brownies, Austin, TX
Photo courtesy of LovePuppies Brownies on Facebook
With brownie flavors like mint, velveteen, and the “Kentucky screwdriver” (a delicious mix of dark chocolate, bourbon, and orange liqueur) you can’t go wrong. Although this bakery doesn’t have it’s own shop, it can do you one better: there’s a variety of co-ops in the area that carry their brand, so you don’t have to travel far to fall in love. However, if you’re looking to share that love with your pooch: don’t. LovePuppies maintains that while they love puppies too (who doesn’t?), their brownies are only for our human friends. While you’re at it, try these other delicious foods in town.
9. Erin McKenna’s Bakery, New York City, NY
Photo courtesy of @erinmckennasbakery on Instagram
Formerly known as Babycakes NYC, this Lower East Side bakery rocks some of the world’s most delicious vegan and gluten-free brownies for those on fixed diets (so you can indulge!). Apparently, their delicious brownies are only made with eggs, soy, and gluten-free agave (really, it’s that simple).
10. Wheatberry Bake Shop, Snyder, NY
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
While their specialty is artisan bread (try their focaccia, it’ll rock your world), they also make a delicious array of baked goods, one of those being the delicious and classic brownie. Not too far from Niagara Falls, why not stop by for a snack? While you’re in New York state, check out these cool foods.
11. Kaminsky’s Baking Company, Charleston, SC
Photo courtesy of @ocgirls2013 on Instagram
Do Dutch cocoa brownies sound good? If yes (and the answer is definitely yes), then you need to try Kaminsky’s. You can even add warm vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel, and pecans to the mix, all for the ridiculously good deal of $6. If you like this then try this phish food brownie recipe.
12. Sonoma Wine Garden, Santa Monica, CA
Photo courtesy of lafoodie.com
Not only do you get to eat a brownie next to the Santa Monica pier, these brownies look absolutely like the bomb.com. Not only with a really, really good wine list, this brownie looks absolutely insane. For more, try these yummy places in nearby Santa Barbara.
13. Momofuku Milk Bar, New York, NY
Photo courtesy of thedustybaker.com
Momofuku gained fame through their delicious, saliva inducing crack pie and cereal milk, however, you gotta try their brownie pie (will the deliciousness ever stop — we hope not). But, honestly, there’s so much more good food in the Big Apple — here are 7 of our faves.
14. The Cookie Bar, Las Vegas, NV
Photo courtesy of thecookiebarlv.com
In the land of the uber superficial, here’s a real, down to Earth place where you can get some real good gourmet treats. And, if you’ve fallen in love with their baked goods but can’t make it out to Vegas — no worries, they offer nationwide shipping. Or, you can make this brownie from the comfort of your dorm room.
15. Pearl Bakery, Portland, OR
Photo courtesy of sweets.seriouseats.com
They also offer bread and pastries, organic coffee, and sandwiches, but they’re famous for their yummy brownies. Plus, they’re super old school and may be one of the last few cafe shops/ bakeries who don’t offer wifi (but that’s a good thing — take your date here and they won’t be immersed in their phone)… While you’re in Portland, try these places.
16. Cafe Madeleine, Boston, MA
Photo courtesy of Cafe Madeleine on Facebook
Try their French brownie… It’s actually insanely good. Named after the mother of head pastry chef Frederic Robert, Cafe Madeleine brings Paris to Boston. Plus, you can even peek into the cafe’s open kitchen when picking up your croissant or even try one of their own roasted coffees (yum!). And if you’re still looking for more good eats in Boston, read this.
17. Breads on Oak, New Orleans, LA
Photo courtesy of Breads on Oak on Facebook
Not only is this cafe all natural and organic, their head pastry chef and owner Sean O’Mahony is French trained and also makes a line of vegan and gluten-free breads and pastries. Their brownies, a mix between a brownie and a dense chocolate cake, are incredibly decadent, with chocolate chunks flavoring each bite. Here’s more food you should try in New Orleans.
18. Bird Bakery, San Antonio, TX
Photo courtesy of Bird Bakery on Facebook
Using only the finest ingredients — like deliciously creamy Valrhona Chocolate and Madagascar’s Bourbon Vanilla — it would only make sense they also have the finest food. And, at the end of the day, all their remaining pastries go to local non-profits (so all the food is fresh every day, and you’re eating for a good cause!). But wait — before you go, make sure to check these places in San Antonio out, too.
19. Long’s Bakery, Indianapolis, Indiana
Photo courtesy of yelp.co.uk
A vast selection of danishes, donuts, and of course, brownies, makes this place a must not miss destination. With long lines seemingly all of the time, make sure to get there early and be prepared to wait. But with ridiculously good prices, it’s totally worth the struggle. And, while you’re on your sweets kick, try some of these other absurdly good donut places.
20. The Sweet Spot, Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy of The Sweet Spot on Facebook
Their absurd looking brownies topped with ice cream and whipped cream (and can we just say, oh my!!!) are definitely Insta worthy. Also, like how many calories is that? Oh wait, we don’t actually care, ’cause we’ll eat it anyways. While you’re at it, why not dare yourself and try to eat your way across America?
21. Butter & Scotch, New York City, NY
Photo courtesy of @thedrunkbakers on Instagram
Booze and brownies — why didn’t we think of it yet?? If you’re not sick of brownies yet, this is a place you’ve gotta go — why not have a brownie along with an All Out Butterscotch (their signature cocktail with whiskey, creme de pamplemousse, rose, lemon, basil, egg white, and topped with angostura bitters (yum!).
22. Cake and The Beanstalk, Philadelphia, PA
Photo courtesy of Cake and The Beanstalk on Facebook
This family friendly place is fun for everyone — you can even come for their weekly baking sessions and learn how to make bomb brownies (heck, yeah). This cute little bakery has coloring books and homey decorations scattered around, pleasing everybody from your baby brother to your crotchety grandma (and still cool enough for your Instagram aesthetic — yeah, we gotchu). Absolute perfection. And, speaking of Instagram, check out our interview with one of Philly’s top Food-stagramers.
23. Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, Washington, DC
Photo courtesy of Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats on Facebook
A worldwide sensation (literally), Sticky Fingers has been so popular they’ve expanded past their OG DC location and have satellite shops in Seoul, South Korea. Everything in the shop is vegan, and super delicious. While you’re at it, try these DC brunch places.
24. Brownie Gourmet, Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy of thebrowniegourmet.com
These delicious looking brownies practically have us in raptures just looking at them. Yum level literally going off the charts. And, in case you didn’t notice, there’s a lot of good food to Detroit. Just read this and see for yourself.
25. Bake., Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy of dessertedplanet.com
You know when something is so good your eyes roll back? That’s how we feel about Bake. Putting twists on classic American desserts, there’s no better way to feel patriotic and on a sugar high at the same time. As American as apple pie (flavored brownies, am I right?!). Here’s more places we adore in the Windy City.
GIF courtesy of elitedaily.com
‘Cause delicious brownies got us feelin’ liiiiiiiiiike…