The Perfect Brownie Recipe Does Exist (And it’s so easy!)

Brownies are underrated. Why? Because they are the one item I think even most people who love to bake make from a box. Yes, even I, who makes everything from scratch, used to think brownies weren’t worth the effort. I’ve tried all the brownie recipes on blogs. They’ve been fussy for no reason. Involved too many dishes. Weird “secret” ingredients. Avocado for some inexplicable reason. You get the idea.

But then, thanks to Rachel (who wrote this piece!) posted about a brownie recipe. When Rachel raves about a recipe, I know I am in for a treat. She’s a gem but also just has a joyfulness to her food. Her food tastes like a celebration of flavor and life. I decided to make them the other day after I realized I had abandoned my long-time love of baking. It’s a screen-free activity so it fit perfectly into my weekend plans.

I begged her for the recipe. I was shocked when it was so simple. This is it? This simple, humble brownie recipe is unfussy and easy? Surely this is a trap I said to myself. Oh, but it was not. In fact, the brownie recipe I’m going to share with you is two steps more fussy than the original.

What Makes These Brownies Great

Okay so the deal with these brownies are that they are thick, fudgy, NOT CAKEY but very rich. Oh, so rich. The key to adding the depth and knock-your-socks-off richness is browning the butter and my beloved smoked sea salt. (Yes, this is the same smoked sea salt I’ve been talking about in other recipes. I use it in both sweet and savory items.) I made them in a round springform pan lined with parchment paper. They are “rustic” looking (aka not perfect and I love that) when I do that. If you want a more polished look and shape, use a square pan and grease.

Oh and a note about the browned butter. You can make it without browning and it will still be great. However, if you have a little time to brown the butter, slow and on low heat for a few minutes, it’ll repay you in heaps of flavor. If browned butter makes you nervous, just melt the butter. But don’t skip the smoked sea salt flakes.

The Best Brownie Recipe

The best brownie recipe I've ever had that is also one of the easiest! Thick, chewy, fudgy and rich make these sweet (and a little salty) brownies a crowd pleaser!

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Ingredients

  

• 8 Ounces Butter, melted and browned
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 TSP Olive Oil
• 2 Tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 1 Tsp Smoked Sea Salt (Plus more for sprinkling)
• 2/3 Cup Semi-Sweet Belgian Chocolate Chunks (I get these at Aldi)
• 2 Eggs

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9-inch square pan or line with parchment paper.

  Brown the butter and place to the side to cool.
• Combine the butter, sugar and olive oil in stand mixer for one minute.
• Add the eggs and vanilla, mix for 30 seconds. Add flour, cocoa and smoked sea salt and fully combine for 30 seconds.
• Once combined, add chocolate chunks and pour into a parchment-lined pan or heavily baking-sprayed pan.
• Top brownie dough with any extra chocolate chunks and a generous (to taste) sprinkle of smoked sea salt flakes.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes and allow to cool. If using parchment paper pull out of pan after cooling and peel away the paper to cut.

  Brownies are done when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs still clinging. If you see wet batter, keep baking.