The BEST Fudgy Brownie Recipe

Summary

In this video, John Kanell from Preppy Kitchen walks viewers through the process of making rich, fudgy brownies. The recipe highlights key ingredients such as European butter, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, and high-quality chocolate, along with tips for achieving a signature crackly top. John emphasizes the importance of mixing techniques, the optional use of espresso to enhance the chocolate flavor, and how to achieve a gooey or cakey texture based on baking time. The video is both informative and entertaining, offering a chocolate lover's dream recipe with delicious results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it's hot before baking your brownies.
• 😀 Use European-style butter for better melting and a smoother texture, with less water content that prevents explosions in the microwave.
• 😀 Blooming cocoa powder in melted butter enhances the chocolatey flavor and gives the brownies a fudgy texture.
• 😀 Sift the cocoa powder to avoid lumps, ensuring a smooth, even consistency in your brownie batter.
• 😀 Whisk the sugar thoroughly to dissolve it completely; this step is crucial for achieving the signature crackly top on the brownies.
• 😀 Add instant espresso to boost the chocolate flavor without imparting a coffee taste. You can also use decaf if you're sensitive to caffeine.
• 😀 Use room temperature eggs to prevent the batter from curdling, and whisk them in all at once to avoid a heavy texture.
• 😀 The key to a fudgy texture is minimizing flour usage and not overmixing after adding it to the batter.
• 😀 Incorporate two types of chocolate: cocoa powder and chopped chocolate (semi-sweet, bittersweet, or milk, depending on preference).
• 😀 For the best texture, line the baking pan with parchment paper and butter the sides to avoid sticking, ensuring easy removal of the brownies after baking.

Q & A

What type of butter should be used for these brownies?

The recipe suggests using European-style butter, as it has less water content, reducing the chances of it exploding in the microwave while melting.

Why is cocoa powder 'bloomed' in hot butter?

Blooming cocoa powder in hot butter enhances the chocolate flavor, making the brownies richer and fudgier.

Can you use different types of cocoa powder for the recipe?

Yes, you can use any cocoa powder, but Dutch-processed cocoa powder is recommended for a fudgier, more chocolatey taste. Natural cocoa powder will work but will result in a less fudgy texture.

What is the role of instant espresso powder in the recipe?

Instant espresso powder is added to intensify the chocolate flavor without imparting any noticeable coffee taste. It's an optional ingredient, and you can use decaffeinated espresso powder if concerned about caffeine.

How do you achieve the signature crackly top on the brownies?

To get the crackly top, you need to whisk the sugar thoroughly into the batter to dissolve it completely. This results in a smooth batter that bakes into a shiny, crackled top.

What happens if you overmix the flour in the batter?

Overmixing the flour can cause the brownies to lose their fudgy texture. It's important to fold the flour gently to avoid developing too much gluten, which would make the brownies denser and less tender.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of whisking by hand?

Yes, you can use a hand mixer if you prefer. However, hand mixing is effective, and using a hand mixer can be a little easier for incorporating the ingredients quickly.

What are some good options for the chocolate in this recipe?

You can use chocolate chips, semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, depending on your preference. The recipe calls for 270 grams of chopped chocolate (about 1 ½ cups), but you can adjust the type of chocolate based on your sweetness preference.

How do you prepare the baking pan for the brownies?

To prepare the pan, line it with parchment paper and lightly butter the sides to keep the paper in place. This ensures the brownies come out easily once they're baked and cooled.

What should I look for when testing if the brownies are done?

To test if the brownies are done, insert a skewer in the center. For fudgy brownies, the skewer should come out with a lot of crumbs. For cakier brownies, fewer crumbs should stick to the skewer. Adjust the baking time accordingly to your desired texture.