Best Gooey Brownies: A Rich, Fudgy Dessert You’ll Crave Again and Again
Few desserts bring as much comfort as a warm, chocolatey brownie straight from the oven. That first bite, with its slightly crisp edges giving way to a soft and gooey center, is pure bliss for anyone with a sweet tooth. Brownies hold a special place in the dessert world because they strike the perfect balance between cake and fudge—rich enough to satisfy a chocolate craving, yet simple enough to whip up without fuss.
The best gooey brownies aren’t just about mixing cocoa with sugar; they’re about creating a texture that’s dense, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth indulgent. Using quality chocolate, the right balance of fat to flour, and a careful baking process makes all the difference. These brownies aren’t just a treat—they’re a mood-lifter, a party pleaser, and the kind of dessert people will request again and again.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with approximate calorie counts per ingredient:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Calories (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 1620 |
| Semi-sweet chocolate | 8 oz | 1140 |
| Granulated sugar | 1 ½ cups | 1160 |
| Brown sugar | ½ cup | 415 |
| Large eggs | 4 | 280 |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp | 24 |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | 455 |
| Cocoa powder | ½ cup | 100 |
| Salt | ½ tsp | 0 |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Prepare your pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Melt butter and chocolate
- In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and chopped chocolate together over a double boiler or in short microwave intervals. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- Whisk sugars and eggs
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until pale and slightly thickened. This step adds a crackly top to your brownies.
- Combine wet ingredients
- Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Fold in dry ingredients
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the bowl. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined—do not overmix.
- Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Cool and slice
- Allow brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing. For extra clean cuts, chill briefly in the fridge before serving.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
- Extra gooey texture: Slightly underbake by 2–3 minutes for an ultra-fudgy center.
- Nutty crunch: Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts before baking.
- Double chocolate delight: Add chocolate chips to the batter for pockets of melted goodness.
- Salted twist: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking to balance sweetness.
- Flavor boost: Stir in a teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor.
- Gluten-free version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Nutritional Information (per serving, assuming 16 brownies)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~325 |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 30 g |
Serving Suggestions
Gooey brownies are versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic sundae.
- Drizzle with melted caramel or chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk for a simple yet satisfying snack.
- Stack and decorate with whipped cream and berries for an elegant dessert centerpiece.
Best Gooey Brownies: A Rich, Fudgy Dessert You’ll Crave Again and Again
16
servings20
minutes50
minutes325
kcalIngredients
For the Brownies:
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
Directions
- Prep the pan – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butter & chocolate – In a heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together until smooth.
- Whisk eggs & sugar – Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until pale and slightly thickened. Stir in vanilla.
- Combine mixtures – Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, stirring until combined.
- Fold in dry ingredients – Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold until just combined.
- Bake – Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool & slice – Let brownies cool before cutting into squares.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For the gooeyest brownies, slightly underbake them and let them finish setting as they cool.
Always let brownies cool before slicing—this helps them firm up and makes cleaner cuts.
Use quality chocolate (not just cocoa powder) for the richest flavor and fudgy texture.
FAQs
1. How do I make my brownies extra gooey?
Slightly underbake the brownies by 2–3 minutes and check with a toothpick. If it comes out with moist crumbs (not raw batter), they’re perfect and gooey.
2. Can I use cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate?
Yes, but the texture and flavor will differ. Using real chocolate gives a richer, fudgier brownie, while cocoa-only recipes lean more cakey.
3. Why don’t my brownies have a crackly top?
That shiny, crackly crust comes from properly whisking the sugar and eggs together before adding the melted chocolate. Don’t skip that step!
4. How should I store gooey brownies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months.
5. Can I make gooey brownies gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for similar results.
Conclusion
The best gooey brownies are a celebration of chocolate in its most comforting form—dense, rich, and irresistibly fudgy. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create a dessert that feels luxurious yet approachable. Whether you like them plain, with nuts, or dressed up with toppings, gooey brownies are a recipe worth keeping on repeat. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll understand why so many people say brownies are their ultimate dessert.
