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 cup powdered sugar
• 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 (+ 2 tbsp.)
• salt (A pinch.)
• 2 tbsp oil

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch (20x20cm) baking 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. 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, 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 mixing helps create the 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 and chocolate chips, then mix until well combined.

8. 8

   Transfer the batter to the prepared 8x8-inch baking pan and bake for 35–40 minutes. The tops should be shiny, and a toothpick inserted into the brownies should come out with some crumbs clinging to it.

9. 9

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

10. 10

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

Notes

The source lists the powdered sugar as 1 3/4 cups (350), interpreted as 350 g. The flour measurement is 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons. Do not cut the brownies until they have cooled for 1–2 hours.

Nutrition per serving

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