Ingredients
Chocolate Base
- 1 stick (8 tbsp) salted butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided (can substitute semi-sweet)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 tsp espresso powder (optional, for flavor depth)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking your brownies evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8 inch glass baking dish with parchment paper or alternatively grease it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips with the stick of butter. Microwave in 30-40 second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Cocoa Powder: Stir the unsweetened cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture until no lumps remain and the mixture is smooth. Set this aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla bean paste, espresso powder (if using), granulated sugar, and salt for about 10 seconds until well combined.
- Combine Chocolate Mixture: Pour the cooled melted chocolate mixture into the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly until fully incorporated.
- Add Flour: Gently add the all-purpose flour to the chocolate-egg mixture. Stir with a large spoon until just combined and the batter achieves a thick, rich texture similar to chocolate frosting.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips to add bursts of melted chocolate throughout the brownies.
- Transfer to Pan: Spread the thick brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Bake the brownies for 45-50 minutes. A toothpick inserted may come out with moist crumbs, which is perfect for fudgy brownies. Avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.
- Garnish: Once baked, optionally sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Cool and Slice: Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Then, transfer them onto a wire rack to cool another 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Espresso powder is optional but highly recommended to deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Do not overbake; brownies will appear slightly underdone when removed but will set as they cool for a fudgy texture.
- Using parchment paper makes it easier to lift out the brownies from the pan.
- For even richer brownies, use semi-sweet chocolate if dark chocolate is unavailable.
- Flaky sea salt on top adds a delicious contrast to the sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American