The Best Fudgy Brownies Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. , Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until the top is dry and the center is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan, preferably metal, with nonstick baking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until the butter is a deep golden color, about 5 minutes; the butter will hiss and spit as the whey evaporates so be careful. As the foam subsides the butter will go from a canary yellow color to golden. When it does, take it off the heat. Add the chocolate and cream to the butter and let it sit, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted.
• Sift the flour and cocoa powder through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, espresso powder and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Start on low speed and gradually increase to high speed until the eggs are pale, very thick and fluffy, about 8 minutes (start your timer when you get to high speed). Do not be tempted to skimp on the mix time; this step is key to getting the signature shiny, crackled brownie top. Reduce the speed to low and slowly pour the warm chocolate into the eggs; beat until completely incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined; do not overmix. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and fold until the batter is completely combined.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the brownies are glossy and just barely firm, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 205 degrees F, 25 to 35 minutes. Don't let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan or you will get a much higher reading. (The cook time will be at the higher end of the range if using a glass or ceramic baking dish.)
• Let the brownies cool completely to allow the crumb to set before slicing, about 3 hours.
• Use an offset spatula to loosen the brownies from the sides of the pan. Use the parchment overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Remove the parchment and cut into 24 squares.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter a 20cm square tin and line with baking parchment. Melt the butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl in 30-second bursts in the microwave until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Alternatively, set the bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the base doesn't touch the water, and stir until smooth. Leave to cool slightly.
• Whisk the sugar and eggs together in a bowl using an electric whisk until the mixture has doubled in volume and a ribbon holds for 3 seconds when you lift out the beaters. Scrape the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, and fold gently until well-combined.
• Sift in the cocoa powder, flour and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine, then fold in most of the milk chocolate, pretzels and nuts, reserving some for the top. Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and scatter with the reserved chocolate, pretzels and nuts. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25 mins until just set with a shiny top and gentle wobble in the middle. Leave to cool completely in the tin, then slice and serve.