Crinkle Top Fudgy Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup natural cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (Use vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract.)
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar
• 1.75 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 0.25 cup semi-sweet chocolate (Chopped.)
• 3 large eggs (At room temperature.)
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-by-8-inch (20-by-20-cm) pan and line it with parchment paper on all sides. Set the prepared pan aside.

2. 2

   Place the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it begins to foam, stir and scrape the butter from the bottom and sides of the pan every 10 seconds.

3. 3

   Continue cooking the butter for 6–8 minutes. The milk solids should sink to the bottom and turn brown. When the butter smells nutty and toasted and has turned deep golden brown, immediately transfer it to a heatproof bowl to cool.

4. 4

   Add the cocoa powder, olive oil, espresso powder, vanilla, and chopped semi-sweet chocolate to the cooled browned butter. Mix until the chocolate has melted and the cocoa powder is completely dissolved.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, crack in the eggs and add the light brown sugar. Whisk for 5–6 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved in the eggs. This thorough mixing is crucial for achieving a crackly top.

6. 6

   Add the powdered sugar and mix for another 1–2 minutes, until completely combined.

7. 7

   Add the cooled browned-butter mixture to the egg mixture and mix until combined.

8. 8

   Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix until well combined.

9. 9

   Transfer the batter to the prepared 8-by-8-inch baking pan and spread it into the pan.

10. 10

    Bake for 30–35 minutes. The tops should be shiny, and a toothpick inserted into the brownies should come out with some crumbs clinging to it.

11. 11

    Let the brownies cool in the pan for 1–2 hours before cutting.

12. 12

    For clean cuts, use a very sharp knife. Run hot water over the knife to warm it, then use a wet paper towel to clean the knife between cuts.

Notes

The source lists the powdered sugar as 1 3/4 cups (350 g), preserving the stated measurement. The source does not specify the number or size of brownie pieces; 16 servings is an estimate for an 8-by-8-inch pan.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• brownies
• baked
• chocolate
• fudgy
• vegetarian