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Ultra Fudgy Brown Butter Brownies with Shiny Crackly Top

A close-up, low-angle shot of a fudgy brownie piece showing its rich, moist interior and cracked, shiny top.
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Make bakery-style brownies at home with this recipe. Browning the butter adds deep flavor, and simple steps help you achieve a perfectly fudgy texture and that sought-after shiny crackly top.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional mix-in)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the butter foams, then subsides, and brown bits form at the bottom, giving off a nutty aroma. This is brown butter. Immediately remove from heat and pour the brown butter into a large, heat-safe mixing bowl.
  3. Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the warm brown butter until fully combined. The mixture will look wet.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition until the batter thickens slightly. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes. The edges should look set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist, fudgy crumbs attached, not wet batter. This step is key for a shiny top.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • For the best shiny top, do not overbake. The residual heat will continue to cook the center as it cools.
  • Using high-quality cocoa powder makes a difference in the final rich chocolate flavor.
  • Cool the brownies completely before cutting to achieve clean, bakery-style squares.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/fudgy-brown-butter-brownies/