Looking to perfect your brownies? With some essential brownie tips, you can take your brownies from good to unforgettable. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from choosing the right ingredients to how long to let brownies cool for that ideal texture. For a closer look at how our bakers craft the perfect brownies, check out our behind the scenes brownies video!
If you’re craving brownies without the baking, try Crumbs & Doilies’ online brownie delivery, or explore our baking kits for a fun, hands-on experience at home!
Our Best Brownie Tips
Mastering brownies is all about getting the details right. From selecting quality chocolate to knowing when they're baked to perfection, these brownie tips will help you achieve bakery-quality brownies at home. Let’s dive into each step!
Start with Quality Ingredients
Great brownies start with great ingredients. Because brownies are simple in terms of components, each ingredient plays a big role in the final flavour and texture. Choose high-quality chocolate with at least 50% cocoa for a rich flavour, rich unsalted butter, and large, fresh eggs for the best results.
Tip: Use room-temperature eggs. They blend more smoothly with the other ingredients, helping create a cohesive batter that bakes evenly. Quality ingredients make a noticeable difference, so they’re well worth it!
Choose the Right Chocolate
Chocolate is the star of any brownie recipe, so selecting the right type is essential. For rich, flavourful brownies, opt for high-quality dark chocolate with 50%-70% cocoa, which provides a deep chocolate taste without too much sweetness or bitterness.
To intensify the flavour of your brownie, add a good quality cocoa powder in addition to flour. Cocoa powder intensifies the chocolate flavour of the brownie. This mix gives your brownies a beautifully rich depth that's hard to beat!
Melt Chocolate and Butter Slowly
Melting chocolate and butter together is a key step for achieving smooth, glossy brownie batter. To avoid burning or separating the mixture, melt them slowly and gently. Use a double boiler (a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water) or microwave the ingredients in short bursts, stirring between each interval.
Taking the time to melt these ingredients slowly keeps the chocolate smooth and helps create a rich, cohesive batter. Rushing this step can lead to uneven texture, so patience is key for that perfect, fudgy consistency!
Correctly Mixing Eggs and Sugar
The way you mix the eggs and sugar directly impacts both the texture and appearance of your brownies. For best results, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture is pale, has doubled in volume, and reaches a thick, ribbon-like consistency. This step dissolves the sugar thoroughly and aerates the mixture, creating that signature crackly top as the brownies bake.
If you're after a denser, fudgy texture, mix until just combined. For a more pronounced, delicate crust, continue whisking slightly longer to incorporate a bit more air. This small step makes a big difference in texture and appearance!
Fold and Mix the Batter Carefully
Achieving the ideal brownie texture requires a delicate touch when mixing. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, gently fold them into the wet mixture with a spatula, being careful not to overmix. Folding prevents the development of too much gluten, which keeps the brownies dense and fudgy rather than cake-like.
You should mix until you can no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing introduces excess air, leading to a lighter, cakier texture—far from the rich, gooey brownies we’re aiming for. Handle the batter with restraint for that melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly chewy result.
Add Mix-Ins (Optional)
Mix-ins are a great way to personalise your brownies and add extra flavour and texture. Popular additions include chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, caramel swirls, or a sprinkle of sea salt. A teaspoon of vanilla extract is also a popular choice, as it enhances the chocolate flavour without overwhelming it.
Fold mix-ins gently into the batter at the end, ensuring they’re evenly distributed without overmixing. Be cautious with quantities - a small handful is usually enough to add interest without overpowering the fudgy texture.
Use the Right Pan Size
The size of your baking pan significantly impacts how your brownies bake. Using a pan that’s too small will result in thick brownies that may not cook evenly, while a pan that’s too large can make them too thin and lead to overbaking.
For most recipes, an 8x8 or 9x9-inch square pan is ideal, but always check your recipe’s specific requirements. A correctly sized pan ensures that your brownies bake evenly, with just the right thickness for that perfect fudgy texture.
Line Your Baking Pan
Lining your baking pan with parchment paper is essential for easy removal and clean edges. To keep the paper in place, lightly grease the pan with a bit of butter or non-stick spray before adding the parchment. This helps the paper stick firmly to the pan, preventing it from moving around as you pour in the batter.
Leave a little overhang on two sides of the pan to create "handles" for lifting the brownies out easily once they’re baked. This simple step ensures hassle-free removal and perfect brownie slices every time.
Bake at the Right Temperature
Baking brownies at the correct temperature is crucial for achieving that perfect balance of fudgy centre and slightly crisp edges. For most brownie recipes, a 160-170°C (320-340°F) fan oven is ideal, but always refer to your recipe for specifics. Oven temperatures can vary so for best results, use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.
Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and affect how evenly the brownies bake. With the right temperature, you’ll get beautifully baked brownies that are dense, moist, and full of flavour.
Knowing When Your Brownies are Done
For most brownies, look for a slightly set top with a bit of a jiggle in the centre. A toothpick inserted about an inch from the edge should come out with a few moist crumbs - if it’s completely clean, the brownies may be overbaked.
Remember, brownies continue to cook as they cool in the pan, so err on the side of slightly underbaking for the best results. This technique helps preserve that rich, gooey centre and ensures your brownies won’t be dry.
How Long to Let Brownies Cool
Allow brownies to cool in the pan for 10-20 minutes—just enough to firm up slightly without overcooking from residual heat. After this, lift the brownies out using the parchment paper and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cooling fully on a rack prevents them from becoming dry or overcooked and ensures a fudgy, tender texture.For ultimate fudgey brownies with super clean cuts, pop them into the fridge for at least an hour, preferably overnight for the best texture.
How to Store Brownies
Proper storage keeps brownies fresh and maintains their ideal texture. For short-term storage, place brownies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay moist for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, store them in the fridge for up to a week - just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavour.
For even longer storage, freeze brownies by wrapping individual pieces in cling film, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to a month and can be thawed at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Brownie Troubleshooting
Even when following our brownie baking tips, a few common issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix typical brownie problems to ensure perfect results every time:
Cracked or Overly Crispy Tops
Cause: Excess air in the batter or high oven temperature can lead to cracked or crispy tops.
Solution: Use a light hand when mixing after adding dry ingredients to minimise air incorporation. For a smoother, thinner top crust, try reducing the oven temperature by 10°C and baking slightly longer to avoid high-heat cracking.
Dry, Crumbly Texture
Cause: Overbaking or not enough moisture in the batter.
Solution: To keep brownies moist, check them early—brownies should be removed from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted an inch from the edge comes out with moist crumbs. Add a tablespoon or two of milk or an extra egg yolk next time for added richness and moisture.
Sinking in the Middle
Cause: Commonly from too much liquid in the batter or underbaking.
Solution: To prevent sinking, change the size of the eggs you use if the batter seems runny. Bake until the centre has a slight jiggle but is mostly set. Placing the pan on a middle or lower oven rack can help bake the centre more evenly and reduce the risk of sinking.
Hard, Overcooked Edges
Cause: Pan type and baking time are key factors.
Solution: Metal pans conduct heat more evenly than glass, so use metal for consistent edges. Bake brownies on the centre rack and remove them from the pan to a cooling rack after 10-20 minutes to avoid residual heat cooking the edges.
Brownies Sticking to the Pan
Cause: Inadequate lining or greasing of the pan.
Solution: Prepare the pan by greasing it lightly with butter or cooking spray before lining it with parchment paper. This helps the paper stick securely in place. Leave extra paper as "handles" to lift the brownies out easily. For added security, grease the parchment lightly to ensure clean removal.
Grainy or Gritty Texture
Cause: Undissolved sugar in the batter.
Solution: Mix eggs and sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved before adding other ingredients. Warm the butter and sugar mixture slightly to help dissolve the sugar fully, resulting in a smoother batter and shinier crust on top.
How to Serve Your Brownies
Brownies are delicious on their own, but paired with a few other delicious ingredients will make them even more memorable! Here are some unique ways to serve brownies that enhance their flavour and texture:
Pair with Ice Cream (A Classic)
Enjoy brownies fresh from the oven alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful mix of warm and cool with each bite. For something different, try flavours like salted caramel, coffee, or hazelnut ice cream to bring out the chocolate’s depth.
Add Fresh Berries
A handful of fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries complements the sweetness of brownies with a refreshing tartness, creating a bright contrast in every bite - this is a delightful addition in the summer months.
Lightly Flavoured Whipped Cream
A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is a simple, airy addition. Infuse it with vanilla, espresso, or even orange zest to add a hint of flavour that pairs well without overpowering.
Drizzle with Sauce
A drizzle of salted caramel, chocolate ganache, or berry coulis can bring extra flavour and a touch of indulgence. These sauces add variety and make each bite feel special.
Create a Brownie Sundae Bar
For a fun dessert, set up a brownie sundae station! Serve brownies with a selection of toppings like mini marshmallows, crushed cookies, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and different sauces. Let each guest customise their own sundae for a hands-on experience.
Rounding Up …
Perfect brownies are all about the details. By following our brownie tips, from choosing quality ingredients to allowing just the right cooling time, you can make brownies that are truly unforgettable. Whether you’re baking them for yourself or serving them with thoughtful pairings, our tips ensure you get the best flavour and texture every time.
And if you’re in the mood for brownies without the baking, remember that Crumbs & Doilies offers freshly baked brownies delivered straight to your door, as well as baking kits to try your hand at home!
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