The Great Brownie Debate: What's Your Favorite? (2024)

To me, nothing says “I love chocolate” better than brownies. Yet, ask a few chocolate lovers what their favorite brownie recipe is, and you will probably get an assortment of different responses. That’s because brownies come in so many different varieties and flavors, it would be tough to lump them all into the same category. Frosted or unfrosted? Plain or with nuts? Double or triple chocolate? Cream cheese? Mint? Peanut butter? Raspberry? The possibilities are endless.

But before you start adding in all those extra ingredients and flavors, let’s take a step back to first examine the texture of the brownie. Brownie textures fall into three general camps…Cakey, fudgy and chewy.

Cakey brownies, like the name implies, are light, moist and airy, with a slightly fluffy, cake-like interior. Fudgy brownies are moist, dense and gooey, with almost the texture of fudge, but not quite as compact. Chewy brownies are dense (like fudgy brownies), but have a little more “bite” to them or elastic texture when you chew them.

Personally, I think that a fudgy brownie is the only way to go. But, since we all have different preferences, let's look at different recipes and find the right brownie recipe for you.

The Great Brownie Debate: What's Your Favorite? (1)

The recipe for Ultimate Cakey Brownies has the least amount of butter, sugar and flour in it. A little bit of corn syrup is added to maintain the moistness. Brownie recipes typically don’t have a leavener like baking powder, but this recipe adds a little to give it a lighter texture. The first step is to beat the butter until it is soft, then add the sugar and beat until creamy. This “creaming” step incorporates tiny air pockets into the batter. When the brownies bake, these tiny air pockets expand to give the brownies the cake-like texture.

The Great Brownie Debate: What's Your Favorite? (2)

The recipes for Ultimate Chewy Brownies and Ultimate Fudgy Brownies are very similar. They both have about double the amount of butter, flour and sugar than the cakey brownies. This provides the richness and gooey structure in the brownie.

The Great Brownie Debate: What's Your Favorite? (3)

The preparation method for the denser brownies is also very different. Instead of creaming the butter, the butter and chocolate are melted together to become thoroughly incorporated. Another critical step when adding the flour is to stir just until it is moistened. The more you stir, the more the proteins in flour called gluten begins to develop, causing the batter to be more elastic.

The Great Brownie Debate: What's Your Favorite? (4)

So what’s the difference between fudgy and chewy brownies? The chewy brownie (pictured above) has an additional egg and 1/4 cup more flour than the fudgy brownies, which give the brownie a little more “bite”.

Because baking brownies can be a little tricky, here are some general tips for more brownie baking success…

  1. Grease the bottom only of the pan. The brownie batter needs to cling to the sides of the pan and if the sides are greased the brownies have nothing to adhere to as they rise.
  2. Melt chocolate over low heat. Chocolate scorches, easily ruining its flavor. Be sure to melt it slowly, stirring frequently.
  3. Don’t overmix your ingredients or your brownies may be less tender.
  4. Don’t overbake or you will lose the moist, tender texture. This is easier said than done when there is no surefire way to tell when brownies are done. Follow the directions on your recipe carefully. If you bake enough brownies, your instincts will tell you when they are done.

No matter what brownies you decide to make, they all provide that rich flavor that will satisfy the chocolate craving. Happy brownie baking!

The Great Brownie Debate:  What's Your Favorite? (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a brownie and a fudge brownie? ›

Brownie textures fall into three general camps… Cakey, fudgy and chewy. Cakey brownies, like the name implies, are light, moist and airy, with a slightly fluffy, cake-like interior. Fudgy brownies are moist, dense and gooey, with almost the texture of fudge, but not quite as compact.

What makes brownies fudgy vs cakey? ›

Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio than cakey ones. So add more fat—in this case, butter and chocolate. A cakey batch has more flour and relies on baking powder for leavening. The amount of sugar and eggs does not change whether you're going fudgy or cakey.

What are the positive things about brownies? ›

Brownies are a great source of protein and fiber, which helps you feel full longer. Protein also works as an appetite suppressant, so you won't be as tempted to snack on unhealthy foods later on in the day. There are so many reasons why adding brownies to your diet is a great idea. First of all, they're delicious!

How many brownies do Americans eat a year? ›

National Brownie Day in the United States is December 8. In fact, the National Brownie Committee estimates Americans consume about 1.45 billion of the chocolate treats each year.

Why do they call brownies brownies? ›

Originally the girls were called Rosebuds, but were renamed by Lord Baden-Powell after the girls had complained that they did not like their name. Their name comes from the story "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing, written in 1870.

What is the old version of brownies? ›

Did you know that Brownies were originally called 'Rosebuds'? Rosebuds was established in 1914 for girls to join before they became Guides. Just one year later, the name was changed to Brownies. Brownies are the second-youngest members of the Girlguiding family, for girls aged between 7 and 10.

What classifies a brownie as a brownie? ›

Brownies come in a variety of forms and may be either fudgy or cakey, depending on their density. Brownies often, but not always, have a glossy "skin" on their upper crust. They may also include nuts, frosting, chocolate chips, or other ingredients.

Is a brownie an elf or a fairy? ›

brownie, in English and Scottish folklore, a small, industrious fairy or hobgoblin believed to inhabit houses and barns. Rarely seen, he was often heard at night, cleaning and doing housework; he also sometimes mischievously disarranged rooms.

What happens if I add an extra egg to brownie mix? ›

If you want to get a little more creative with your brownie mix hacks, add an extra egg to the batter. The extra protein will help thicken up the batter and make it fluffier, creating a more decadent, fudgy texture. You can also add the yolk by itself in addition to the 2 eggs a box brownie mix typically calls for.

What happens when you put milk in brownies? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Is butter or oil better for brownies? ›

Note that while some brownie recipes do call for melted butter instead of oil, the butter can aerate the batter, altering the texture of the brownies and making them cakey rather than fudgy. So, while you can substitute butter for oil and vice versa, remember that it might alter the texture.

Why are brownies so loved? ›

First, brownies are plain addictive.

They're so delicious. The rich chocolate taste, along with the dense and creamy texture will keep you unwrapping one Dello Mano Classic Luxury Brownie after another. It isn't too soft and fluffy like a chocolate cake, and it's never tough and dry.

What is one fact about brownies? ›

The exact origin of brownies remains a mystery, but one popular theory suggests they were created in the United States in the late 19th century. However, the name itself didn't appear in print until the early 20th century.

How are brownies best eaten? ›

If you want the fudginess of the brownies to come out really nicely, then microwave the brownies for 10 seconds and then top it with some ice cream and enjoy. You can also drizzle some chocolate sauce or caramel and nuts for added indulgence.

How old are brownies? ›

Brownies (age 7-10)

Brownies introduces girls to a world of new opportunities, challenges and fun. Girls go along to camps, holidays, day trips and sleepovers. They get together with their friends at regular meetings where they learn new hobbies, get creative, develop skills and have outdoor adventures.

Why is a brownie a brownie? ›

The name originated in the late 19th century to describe a style of dark brown bar cookie, though it was applied to chocolate-less versions darkened with molasses as well as the chocolate variety, though usage eventually standardized on chocolate brownies.

Who created the brownie? ›

The Invention of a Sweet Confection

Specifically at the direction of Bertha Palmer to be served at the Columbian Exposition World's Fair in 1893, the brownie was created in the Palmer House Kitchen in the late 19th century.

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