Brownies are something any home cook should be able to make. A simple comfort dessert, filled with chocolatey richness, that no one can resist. But what people don’t understand is how complicated this brownie making process can be and it gets taken for granted.
1. Pick a Good Recipe
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The starting point of any dessert starts with a good recipe. Decide on the type of brownie you want to make, and find the perfect one for you. A recipe like this one on all recipes with over 2,000 reviews is a good one to try. Some of the most popular brownie recipes on Spoon are this ooey-gooey version or these three-ingredient Nutella brownies.
2. Fudgy vs. Cakey?
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I’m not going to tell you how to live you life, but there are two types of people in this world (fudgy brownie people and cakey brownie people) you pick a side. Whichever you prefer, there is a science behind each brownie.
If you want fudgy brownies, you will have to follow the recipe with more butter and chocolate, than dry ingredients. If you want cake-like brownies, follow the recipe that resembles a cake method of preparation (i.e., sifting flour, creaming ingredients separately).
3. Use Good Chocolate
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Just cocoa in a recipe? Nope, not chocolatey enough. Studies show that using good quality chocolate that you wouldn’t mind eating plain will make the best brownies. Don’t use that cheap chocolate that has been sitting on the shelf, grab the good stuff and you won’t regret it!
4. Mix the Batter Perfectly
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You will have to melt the chocolate but make sure you don’t get it too hot! Bring all of your ingredients to room temperature before mixing them together. This will help create a nice smooth batter. (Exception, if the recipe calls for heating the ingredients in a pot.)
#SpoonTip: Place your eggs in warm water if you forget to take them out of the fridge ahead of time. This will get them to room temperature safely.
5. Don’t Get Crazy
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Keep it simple. Brownies are so chocolatey to begin with, adding too many extra ingredients will just result in them becoming lost in the chocolate. However if you’re trying to be fancy, nuts or peanut butter are always good options.
6. Bake Them Perfectly
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Underbaking makes the brownies fudgy right? Umm no…that just means you are now eating under-baked brownies. Bake the brownies for the correct time that the recipe suggests; be sure to check on them occasionally so they do not over-bake either.
7. Let Them Cool
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Resist temptation! When they come out of the oven, give them a little time to rest to finish their baking in the pan. This will result in a cleaner and easier cut.
If you follow all of these brownie tips and make sure to pick a good brownie recipe, you’ll be all set!