How to Make Brownies

How to make brownies? First, let us look at what qualities you like to have in your brownies. For many, the simple quality of being “chocolate” is enough for them. For others, the name is enough. They could be chocolate, white chocolate or white brownies as they are called or the “blonde” brownies.

How to Make BrowniesHow to Make Brownies

I like chocolate but not just any chocolate. I like good quality with a rich chocolate flavor. This is especially true when it comes to brownies. I have collected and made so many brownie recipes. I cannot call anything other than deep chocolate bars by the name of “brownie”. This eliminates all the milk chocolate, blonde and white bars. Of course, the quantity of chocolate will determine the “deep” chocolate flavor. I really like at least four ounces of chocolate and the double and triple chocolate brownies.


MY BROWNIE TIP #1: As I learned how to make brownies, I learned a little trick to get a really good chocolate flavor which I like. I always do this no matter what recipe I use. As soon as I remove the brownies from the oven, I drizzle Godiva Chocolate Liqueur over the top. You can use your favorite liqueur but I found Godiva to have the best flavor. If you want to frost, let the brownies cool and spread the frosting over top.


The next characteristic which I want to achieve when baking brownies is moistness. After I learned how to make brownies I found that many came out too dry. Brownies will have a “fudgy” or “cake” texture.  I want mine to be more fudge like; I save the “cake” for cake. This texture “or moistness” is determined by the proportions of the ingredients like shortening to flour. Ingredients like eggs, sour cream, buttermilk and cream cheese also help with moistness.


MY BROWNIE TIP #2: To make sure you do not measure too much flour LIGHTLY SPOON the flour into a measuring cup and then level off with a knife. If you tap the cup when scooping or press the flour down, it will measure too much.


MY BROWNIE TIP #3: As I was learning how to make brownies, I learned the hard way how to bake brownies or “not to bake”. This is a sure way to dry them out and ruin the taste. I have found that a slow oven (From 300F to 350F degrees) produces very good brownies. When testing with a pick for doneness, the pick will still be BARELY MOIST; might still have a couple crumbs on the pick.


MY BROWNIE TIP #4: also has to do with brownie baking. Some recipes instruct the baking to be done in larger size pans. I have found the best results come from baking in 8 or 9 inch square pans. Baking starts around the outside edges. In larger pans, too often by the time the center dough is done, the outside is over baked. After I learned how to make brownies I found this can be eliminated by baking in smaller pans. For baking the larger recipes, I have found (My opinion) that Glass baking dishes turn out better brownies.


MY BROWNIE TIP #5: Since I have learned how to make brownies I never worried about storing. Around here they simply do not last long but here is how to do it. Place the brownies in a tightly covered container or leave them in the baking pan. Cover the pan or container tightly with a cover, plastic wrap or foil. Store in cool place.

Rich Brownie PieRich Brownie Pie

BROWNIE MIX RECIPE

Brownie Mix RecipeBrownie Mix Recipe

Learn how to make brownies with this mix recipe. By keeping this on hand, brownie making is easy.

  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 ½ cups Hershey’s cocoa powder
  • 4 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 7 cups sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 2 cups solid shortening

Combine and mix in a very large bowl (or container) flour, cocoa, baking powder, sugar and salt.

Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter until crumbly; store in air tight container.

Store in refrigerator or cool place; can be stored for up to 6 weeks.

Makes 14 cups.

HOW TO MAKE BROWNIES with the mix

Brownies made from Brownie MixBrownies made from Brownie Mix

Learn how to make brownies quickly from a pre-made mix. 

  • 3 Cups of the mix
  • 3 Beaten eggs
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ Cup chopped nuts OPTIONAL
  • ½ Cup semi sweet chocolate chips OPTIONAL

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease and flour 8 inch square baking pan.

Combine mix, eggs, vanilla and OPTIONAL ingredients if desired.

Stir until blended; pour into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool completely and cut into bars.

Brownies made from Brownie MixBrownies made from Brownie Mix

BEST FUDGE BROWNIE RECIPE

Learn how to make brownies that are a rich fudge.

  • 2 Cups sugar
  • ½ cup solid shortening
  • 4 Eggs beaten
  • 4 Squares (1 ounce each) melted chocolate
  • 1 1/3 cups sifted flour
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup canned evaporated milk
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 Teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 ½ Cups chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 300F degrees; grease 13X9 inch baking pan.

Cream shortening and sugar; beat in eggs and melted chocolate.

Resift flour with salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk and water.

Stir in vanilla and nuts; spread in prepared pan.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes until set; cut into 36 bars while warm.

HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE SYRUP BROWNIES RECIPE

Brownies

  • 1 Cup sugar
  • ½ Cup softened butter
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 Can (16 ounces) Hershey’s chocolate flavored syrup
  • 1 ¼ Cups flour
  • ½ Cup finely chopped pecans

Frosting

  • ¼ Cup butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-3 Tablespoons milk
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 13X9 inch baking pan.

TO MAKE BROWNIES beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Add vanilla, eggs and chocolate syrup; blend well.

Add flour and mix well; stir in nuts.

Spread in prepared pan; bake for 30 to 35 minutes until pick comes out clean.

Cool completely and frost.

TO MAKE FROSTING melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Blend in cocoa; heat mixture just to a boil stirring constantly; cool slightly.

Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired spreading consistency.

Blend mixture until smooth; stir in nuts and spread over cooled brownies.

Cool completely; cut into 36 bars.

RICH BROWNIE RECIPE

  • 1 Cup melted butter
  • ¾ Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 1 ½ Cups flour
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 Cup semi sweet chocolate chunks
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts

Frosting

  • ¼ cup softened butter
  • 2 ½ Cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350F degrees: grease and flour a 13X9 inch baking pan.

TO MAKE BROWNIES combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large bowl.

Blend sugar and flour into cocoa mixture; add eggs and mix well.

Stir chocolate chunks and nuts into mixture; spread in prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until set (Be careful not to over bake); cool to warm and frost.

TO MAKE FROSTING combine and beat all frosting ingredients until smooth.

Spread over warm brownies; cover with foil and store in refrigerator or freezer.

Good when cold, frozen or room temperature; makes 12 to 18 depending on size.

POTATO BROWNIES RECIPE

Learn how to make brownies with mashed potatoes.

  • 2 Ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 Ounces semi sweet chocolate
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1 Tablespoon solid shortening
  • 1 Cup sifted flour
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 ¼ Cups granulated sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup cold mashed potatoes

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; spray lightly 9X9 inch baking pan.

In a heavy small saucepan over very low heat melt chocolate, butter and shortening; cool slightly.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt; mix well and set aside.

With mixer beat eggs, sugar and vanilla in mixing bowl.

Beat mashed potatoes into egg mixture; beat in chocolate mixture.

STIR flour mixture in just to blend; spread mixture into prepared pan.

Bake in center of oven for 22 to 27 minutes until pick in center comes out BARELY clean.

Cool completely and cut into 20 bars.

ULTIMATE BROWNIES RECIPE

Ultimate Brownies RecipeUltimate Brownies Recipe

Learn how to make brownies with the raspberry cream cheese brownie recipe for the “ultimate” experience.

Brownies

  • 1 Cup butter
  • 1 Cup cocoa powder
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1 Jar (10 ounces) seedless raspberry preserves
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ Teaspoon baking soda

Swirl topping

  • 1 Package (8 ounces) cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ Teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 Cup raspberries
  • ¼ Cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 325F degrees; lightly spray with nonstick vegetable oil 13X9 inch baking dish.

TO MAKE BROWNIES melt butter over medium low heat in a heavy 3 quart saucepan.

Whisk cocoa in the butter; cook until it bubbles.

Remove from heat; stir in sugar and preserves.

Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the preserve mixture until thoroughly blended.

Combine flour and baking soda in a small bowl; add to chocolate mixture and stir just to blend.

Pour batter into baking dish and smooth top; prepare topping.

Batter for the Ultimate Brownies RecipeBatter for the Ultimate Brownies Recipe

TO MAKE TOPPING beat with mixer on medium speed the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla until blended.

Fold raspberries into cream cheese mixture.

Spoon large dollops of cream cheese mixture over brownie batter spacing evenly.

Spoon Cream Cheese and Raspberry Mixture into Batter for the Ultimate Brownies RecipeSpoon Cream Cheese and Raspberry Mixture into Batter for the Ultimate Brownies Recipe

With a knife swirl the topping into the brownie batter; sprinkle with almonds.

Swirl Knife Through Cream Cheese and Raspberry MixtureSwirl Knife Through Cream Cheese and Raspberry Mixture

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out ALMOST clean with a couple moist crumbs attached.

Cool completely in dish on rack; cut into 24 squares.

Baked Ultimate Brownies RecipeBaked Ultimate Brownies Recipe

SUPER CHOCOLATE CHUNK BROWNIES

Super Chocolate Chunk BrowniesSuper Chocolate Chunk Brownies
  • 6 Ounces semisweet chocolate
  • ¾ Cup butter
  • 1 Cup flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 Cup chopped walnuts
  • ½ Cup dried cherries or cranberries
  • ½ Cup semi sweet chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; coat baking dish (About 7 ½   X 12 inches) with non stick spray.

Melt 6 ounces chocolate and butter together in a bowl over simmering water in a saucepan stirring until smooth.

Sift together flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl; set aside.

In another bowl beat eggs and sugar 3 to 5 minutes; stir in chocolate butter mixture and vanilla to blend.

Add flour mixture and blend; blend in dried cherries and chocolate chunks.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of nuts; blend remaining nuts into batter.

Spread batter in prepared baking dish; sprinkle reserved nuts over the top.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until firm on top; cool completely in baking dish.

Cut in 24 bars.

BAILEYS IRISH CREAM BROWNIES

Bailey's Irish Cream BrowniesBailey's Irish Cream Brownies

Learn how to make brownies with Bailey's Irish Cream.

  • 1 ¼ Cups sugar
  • ¾ Cup butter
  • ½ Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Cup chopped nuts
  • ¼ Cup Bailey’s Irish cream liqueur
  • Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur glaze (Below)

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 15X10X1 inch baking pan.

Heat the sugar, butter and cocoa powder in a large saucepan over medium heat stirring until butter melts.

Remove from heat and add the eggs, baileys liqueur and vanilla; beat just to combine.

Combine in a bowl the flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Add flour mixture alternating with the milk to the chocolate mixture mixing by hand after each addition.

Stir in the nuts; spread evenly into prepared pan; bake for 15 to 20 minutes until pick comes out clean in center.

Cool completely; spread with liqueur glaze. (Below)

TO MAKE BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM LIQUEUR GLAZE combine 2 ½ cups of sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and ¼ teaspoon vanilla in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon Bailey’s Irish Cream. Stir in 8 to 10 tablespoons cream until reaching spreading consistency. Spread over cooled brownies.

Bailey's Irish Cream BrowniesBailey's Irish Cream Brownies