Brownies & Bars

Classic Brownies

April 15, 2018
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These fudgy homemade brownies may be basic, but they’re anything but boring.

Classic rich and fudgy homemade brownies

What I love about brownies is how easily they come together. Even completely from-scratch, brownies take just a few minutes of prep. They’re my go-to for potlucks, dinner parties, and nights at home when we need a sweet treat. And really, who doesn’t like brownies?

In my recipe archives you can find all sorts of brownie variations— with frosting, packed with nuts, swirled with pumpkin, stuffed with candy bars, etc. But this right here is a classic no-frills recipe and the brownies are simple, but perfect. They’re rich, fudgy and oh so chocolaty.

baking tip:How to make brownies with a shiny crackly crust

There are two steps to making brownies with a shiny crackly crust:

  1. Follow a recipe that incorporates melted chocolate into the brownie batter. Brownies that use only cocoa powder often bake up with a dull matte finish.
  2. Once you add the eggs to the batter, beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes. Beating the eggs with the sugar already in the batter will incorporate air, which will rise to the surface during baking and create a thin, meringue-like layer.
More Baking Tips »

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Classic Brownies

Yield: 9 large brownies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

These fudgy homemade brownies may be basic, but they're anything but boring.
Print Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick, 113 grams) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 3 ounces (85 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup chocolate chips or walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8-inch square pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate and butter. Heat until melted, stirring often.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, blending after each. Stir in vanilla.
  5. Add flour and salt and mix just until incorporated. Stir in the chips and/or walnuts, if using.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.
From William Sonoma Desserts

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This recipe was originally published January 2010.