Description
These Crack-Top Fudgy Brownies are a classic treat featuring a rich, dense, and fudgy interior with a signature shiny, crackly top. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings, they’re easy to make and bake to perfection in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (cubed)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the brownies after baking.
- Melt the butter and mix sugar: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the cubed butter. Once melted, remove the pan from heat and stir in the granulated sugar until fully combined. This step helps dissolve the sugar slightly and creates a glossy finish on top.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Let the butter-sugar mixture cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs. Then add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to incorporate air and ensure a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients and avoids lumps.
- Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to maintain the fudgy texture. If using, fold in the chocolate chips to add extra pockets of melted chocolate in the brownies.
- Pour and bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool and serve: Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes to set. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, add a scoop of ice cream or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Notes
- For a shinier crackly top, do not overmix the batter once the flour is added.
- Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
- Cooling the batter slightly before adding eggs prevents scrambling.
- Optional chocolate chips can be replaced with chopped nuts or omitted altogether.
- Storage: Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fudgy brownies, crack-top brownies, chocolate brownies, easy brownie recipe, homemade brownies, dessert, baking
