It’s hard to beat the chewy, fudgy goodness of a brownie.
Or maybe you prefer a sweet square that’s more cakelike and covered with rich frosting.
Our Test Kitchen experts will show you how to make brownies step-by-stepempty pan guaranteed.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Dense or Cake-Like?
This ratio is important in determining the texture of your treat.
Using a chef’s knife, coarsely chop chocolate bars or squares on a cutting board.
Credit: Scott Little
Chopped chocolate melts smoothly and evenly and won’t scorch.
Some recipes call for cocoa powder in lieu of actual chocolateeither option will yield delicious brownies.
Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter
Place the chopped chocolate in a medium saucepan.
Credit: Scott Little
Cut up the butter and add it to the saucepan with the chocolate.
Stir over low heat until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the chocolate mixture cool.
Credit: Scott Little
This will serve as the base for your brownie recipe.
Step 3: Add Sugar
Add the sugar to the cooled chocolate-and-butter mixture.
Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar is completely incorporated.
Credit: Scott Little
As with any baked good, making brownies sometimes requires experimentingespecially when you’reswapping in different main ingredientslike sugar.
For a healthier brownie recipe, try theseblack bean browniesorsweet potato brownies.
After adding eggs, stir in the vanilla.
Credit: Scott Little
For brownie batter, use a wooden or silicone spoon.
Wooden spoons are sturdy and wont react with ingredients.
Step 5: Add Flour
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and baking soda.
Credit: Scott Little
Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture all at once.
Step 6: Mix Brownie Batter
Your brownies are almost ready to bake.
Gently stir the batter until the flour is moistened.
Credit: Scott Little
Use a heavy-duty rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the saucepan.
This is another opportunity for flexibility.
Spread the batter in the prepared brownie baking pan.
Bake brownies as directed in the recipe, and cool them completely in the pan on a wire rack.
How to Tell When Brownies Are Done
Most brownies bake at 350F for 25 to 35 minutes.
You shouldn’t bake brownies longer than the recipe states.
Cut the finished dessert into bars, serve, and enjoy!
Who can argue with decked-out brownies?
