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 (The source lists 350 g.)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 0.25 cup semi-sweet chocolate (Chopped.)
• 3 large eggs (At room temperature.)
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• salt (A pinch.)
• 3 tbsp neutral oil

Steps

1. 1

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

2. 2

   Place the 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 will sink to the bottom and begin to brown. As soon as the butter smells nutty and toasted and turns deep golden brown, immediately transfer it to a heatproof bowl to cool.

4. 4

   Add the cocoa powder, neutral oil, vanilla, and chopped 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 whisking is crucial for creating a crackly top.

6. 6

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

7. 7

   Add the cooled browned-butter mixture to the egg mixture. Add the flour, chocolate chips, and pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.

8. 8

   Transfer the batter to the prepared 8×8-inch baking pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. The tops should be shiny; when tested with a toothpick, some crumbs should cling to it.

9. 9

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

10. 10

    To cut the brownies, 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 gives the powdered sugar as 1 3/4 cups (350 g), although the cup-to-gram conversion is atypical; the stated source measurement was preserved. The source does not specify the number or size of brownie portions.

Nutrition per serving

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