Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Squares (Printable)

Dense, fudgy chocolate squares with crackly top and rich cocoa flavor. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Chocolate & Fats

01 - 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter

→ Sugars

03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
09 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Optional Add-ins

10 - 2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
11 - 2/3 cup chocolate chips

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
03 - Stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar until fully incorporated.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold gently until just combined; do not overmix.
06 - Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
07 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top evenly.
08 - Bake for 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow to cool completely in pan. Lift out using parchment and cut into squares.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The texture hits that perfect sweet spot between fudgy and cakey without being too dense
  • That signature crackly top forms naturally without any special techniques
  • They are actually impossible to mess up, trust me
02 -
  • Toothpick tests are tricky here, you want moist crumbs attached, not a completely clean pick
  • Underbaking by 2 minutes makes them even fudgier as they continue cooking in the hot pan
  • Chilling the baked brownies for an hour creates the cleanest squares
03 -
  • Glass pans take longer to heat up, so add 3 to 5 minutes to baking time
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the chocolate from seizing when melted
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