Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), melted. Provides richness and contributes to the chewy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: 2 cups. Sweetens the brownies and helps create that crinkly top.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: ¾ cup, unsweetened. Adds intense chocolate flavor. Use good quality cocoa for the best taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup. Provides structure to the brownie bites.
- Large Eggs: 4. Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the fudgy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons. Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds warmth.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon. Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Chocolate Chips (optional): 1 cup. Adds extra chocolatey goodness and texture. Can be semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips depending on preference.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, prepare your baking pan. For brownie bites, a 9×13 inch baking pan is ideal. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This parchment paper sling will make it incredibly easy to lift the brownie bites out of the pan once they are baked and cooled, ensuring clean and neat squares. Lightly grease the parchment paper as an extra precaution to prevent sticking.
- Melt the Butter: In a large, microwave-safe bowl, or in a saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter completely. Melted butter is crucial for achieving that characteristic chewy texture in brownies. Ensure the butter is fully melted and smooth, without any lumps. If using a saucepan, be careful not to overheat or brown the butter. Once melted, remove from heat and let it cool slightly for a minute or two before proceeding to the next step. This slight cooling prevents the hot butter from cooking the eggs in the next step.
- Combine Butter and Sugar: To the slightly cooled melted butter, add the granulated sugar. Pour the sugar directly into the bowl with the melted butter. Using a whisk or a sturdy spoon, vigorously combine the melted butter and sugar until they are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and homogenous. Continue whisking for about a minute or two. This step helps dissolve the sugar slightly in the warm butter and creates a base for the brownie batter. Don’t worry if it looks a little oily at this stage, it will come together as you add the other ingredients.
- Incorporate Cocoa Powder: Now, it’s time to add the unsweetened cocoa powder. Sift the cocoa powder directly into the butter and sugar mixture. Sifting is recommended to prevent any clumps of cocoa powder in your batter, ensuring a smooth and even chocolate flavor throughout the brownies. Using the whisk again, gently fold the cocoa powder into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until the cocoa powder is fully incorporated and no streaks of cocoa remain. The mixture will become thicker and more like a brownie batter at this point.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Crack the large eggs one at a time into the batter. After adding each egg, whisk it in thoroughly until it is fully incorporated before adding the next. This ensures that the eggs are properly emulsified into the batter, contributing to the fudgy texture and structure of the brownie bites. Once all eggs are added and mixed, pour in the vanilla extract. Vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a touch of warmth to the brownies. Stir to combine the vanilla extract evenly throughout the batter.
- Incorporate Flour and Salt: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisking helps to aerate the flour slightly and ensures the salt is evenly distributed. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Add the flour in two or three additions, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher brownie bites. Mix until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks of flour are visible.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): If you are using chocolate chips, now is the time to gently fold them into the brownie batter. Add the chocolate chips and use a spatula to gently fold them in until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. You can use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips depending on your preference. You could also use chunks of chocolate or even chopped nuts if you desire.
- Pour into Pan and Bake: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the batter evenly in the pan, ensuring it reaches all corners. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so it’s important to keep an eye on the brownies. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. For chewy brownie bites, you want the toothpick to come out with moist crumbs attached, not completely clean. If the toothpick comes out wet batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again. If the toothpick is completely clean, the brownies might be slightly overbaked and less chewy.
- Cool Completely: Once the brownies are baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing the brownies to cool completely in the pan is crucial for them to set properly and become fudgy and chewy. Resist the temptation to cut into them while they are still warm, as they will be too soft and may fall apart. Cooling typically takes about 1-2 hours at room temperature, or you can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator for about 30-45 minutes.
- Cut and Serve: Once the brownie bites are completely cooled, it’s time to cut and serve them. Using the parchment paper sling, lift the entire slab of brownies out of the baking pan and onto a cutting board. Peel away the parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut the brownies into bite-sized squares. You can cut them into whatever size you prefer, but approximately 2-inch squares are ideal for brownie bites. For clean cuts, you can wipe the knife clean with a damp cloth between cuts. Serve the irresistible chewy brownie bites and enjoy! They are delicious on their own or with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 15g