Description

Have you ever wondered why some brownies taste like a gourmet treat from a fancy bakery while others just feel like dry cake? The secret is all about the ‘fudge factor.’ These brownies balance deep dark chocolate with sparkling flakes of sea salt for a flavor profile that is mature enough for adults but sweet enough for kids.

Ingredients

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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (at least 60% cacao), melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Melt the Chocolate and Butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and dark chocolate. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
Add Sugars and Aromatics: Whisk in granulated sugar. Add eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each to create the crackly top. Stir in vanilla extract.
Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in cocoa powder, flour, and 1/4 tsp salt using a rubber spatula. Stop as soon as streaks of flour disappear to avoid toughness.
Bake: Scrape batter into the pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Salt and Cool: Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cool completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t over-mix the batter once the flour is added to keep them dense. For the cleanest cuts, wipe your knife with a damp paper towel between every slice. If you prefer a chewier texture, store these in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 brownie
Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g