PERFECT Shiny Crust Fudge Brownies (with VIDEO)

Name: Perfect Shiny Crust Fudge Brownies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 5 ¼ oz (150g) bittersweet chocolate with 70% cocoa solids or extra dark 85% chocolate,; 6 tbsp (84g) salted butter; 2 large eggs (at room temperature); 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 tsp (5ml) pure vanilla extract; heaped ¼ tsp salt ((use ½ tsp if you're using unsalted butter)); ½ cup (71g) all-purpose flour

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Here's how to make my really easy Perfect Shiny Crust Fudge Brownies that are perfectly fudgy and set and have that shiny crinkle crust on top every single time! They are deep dark chocolaty, perfectly sweet with balanced saltiness, dense, moist, slightly chewy, fudgy and not too gooey. This is your basic brownie recipe that only needs 7 simple ingredients. It is my go-to brownie recipe because it doesn't use a ton of ingredients, it comes together quickly and also bakes up in about 20 minutes. I consider this my entry-level brownie recipe and it has become the favorite of so many of my readers! This homemade brownie recipe is SO much better than a box mix. They're not cloyingly sweet either and the shiny crinkle top is easy to achieve with my scientific technique. If you like box mix brownie texture and a recipe that uses cocoa powder instead of chocolate, check out my Better Than Box Mix Brownies Recipe or my Thick Cocoa Brownies. For you prefer thicker brownies, check out my ultra decadent Best Homemade Brownies.

stack of sliced shiny crust fudge brownies on cooling rack

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

Easy to make - this is the EASIEST homemade brownie recipe! All you need is 7 simple ingredients and 5 easy steps!
No mixer - you can make these brownies with just a bowl and a whisk. It's so simple that it is my go-to recipe.
Few ingredients - this doesn't make an overly decadent brownie that uses loads of butter and eggs, so it's the perfect thing to whip up when you don't have much in the house, but you still need a sweet chocolate treat.
Fudgy chocolate brownies - these are not cakey at all! They have the fudgiest texture and stay moist for days without drying out.
Slightly chewy brownies - these brownies have a balance between chewy and fudgy, so you get the best of both worlds!
Rich chocolate flavor - you can expect intense chocolate taste thanks to bittersweet chocolate and not a lot of flour.

sliced shiny crust fudge brownies on cooling rack

WHAT MAKES THE SHINY TOP ON BROWNIES?

The shiny crust that forms on top of baked brownies is a result of dissolved sugar crystals that recrystallize as they dry at the surface during baking and reflect light. The crust can only form once the sugar is sufficiently dissolved, or if there is enough very finely milled sugar in the batter from melted chocolate which can dissolve very readily. This is why box mix brownies form that crust so easily: because they contain very fine sugar in addition to powdered sugar. Brownies made with melted chocolate form this shiny crackly top much easier than brownies made with cocoa powder only.

INGREDIENTS FOR BEST FUDGE BROWNIES RECIPE

Here are some notes about the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

All purpose flour - regular all purpose flour is perfect to make fudgy brownies. Use unbleached flour which will give you that nice dense texture.
Pure vanilla extract - vanilla is essential to enhance the flavor of the chocolate. Do not leave it out. I like this Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla extract.
Salted butter - the best brownies that have a chewy fudgy texture are made with butter. I love to use salted butter as it adds another element of richness, but you can also use unsalted butter and then add another ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Granulated sugar - simple fine white granulated sugar keeps these brownies moist. If you reduce the sugar they will not be as fudgy and they are less likely to have the shiny crust.

sliced shiny crust fudge brownies stacked on cooling rack with bite

Egg - 2 whole eggs will provide majority of the structure in these brownies.
Dark chocolate - It is important to use bittersweet chocolate otherwise the brownies will be too sweet. Anything between 70 and 85% cocoa solids will work. I prefer bittersweet chocolate or extra dark chocolate, and these bittersweet chocolate callets are very convenient.
Cocoa powder - this is optional. This recipe does not require cocoa powder as it is a chocolate-based recipe, but I have added 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder in place of 1 tablespoon of flour to boost the chocolate taste even more and it is lovely. Make sure you measure out only a tablespoon because if you add any more without adjusting the other ingredients, then the brownies may turn out more dry. This Dutch Process cocoa powder is really nice for brownies.
Salt - I always use fine table salt for baking as the finer crystals disperse and dissolve readily. If you use kosher salt, you will need to use twice as much since it is less dense, and it doesn't have the same impact on flavor enhancement compared to iodized salt for baking.

HOW TO SLICE BROWNIES CLEANLY

One of the most common questions that readers ask me is "how do you get such neat slices on your brownies?". Here are my 5 steps for cutting brownies so that you end up with clean edges. You can read this article here for the full detailed instructions, as well as watch a step-by-step video.

1) Line your baking pan with parchment paper.
2) Let the brownies cool completely.
3) Remove brownies from pan to a flat cutting surface, such as a large board or clean chopping block.
4) Use a sharp, straight, thin-bladed knife and run it under very hot water, then wipe it dry before slicing.
5) Carefully wipe the blade clean with paper towels or a kitchen cloth and repeat step 4 between each slice.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS: HOW TO MAKE THE BEST FUDGE BROWNIES

STEP 1). Melt chocolate. Combine chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir frequently until melted, or you can do this in the microwave gently with frequent stirring so it doesn't burn.
STEP 2). Beat eggs and sugar. Combine eggs with sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until very thick, pale and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and salt.
STEP 3). Combine eggs and chocolate. Add the warm chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and mix it in well.
STEP 4). Add dry ingredients. Sprinkle in the flour and fold it in until evenly combined.
STEP 5). Bake! Spread the batter into your lined baking pan and bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist sticky crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Let them cool completely in the pan.

shiny crust fudge brownie batter in baking pan just before baking in the oven

shiny crust fudge brownies freshly baked in baking pan

How to make MOIST fudge brownies from scratch:

When it comes to a moist and fudgy texture, it's about the sugar and how it is dissolved. Dissolve sugar = syrup = bound water = moistness. Lots of recipes tell you to "dissolve" sugar in melted chocolate and butter, but I don't care how long you stir it or how hot that butter is, sugar will NEVER dissolve in melted chocolate! Sugar dissolves in water, not fat. In addition to that..., with the amount of sugar that goes into a brownie, it is technically a supersaturated mixture so it will never be completely dissolved anyways. Brownie batter is a very low moisture batter, unlike cake batter that has a higher water content.

EXPERT BAKING TIPS FOR FUDGE BROWNIES

Use a kitchen scale. For best results, weigh your ingredients according to the measurements in the recipe card below using a kitchen scale.
Use room temperature eggs. I can't stress this enough. Cold eggs will have a hard time dissolving the sugar, so make sure your eggs are at room temperature or even warm. I like to submerge them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes before baking.
Mix the eggs with the sugar first instead of stirring the sugar into the melted chocolate. Sugar cannot dissolve in fat, but it can dissolve in the water within egg whites.
Whisk the eggs and sugar thoroughly. This will help encourage the sugar too dissolve. The more you whisk, the more air you will incorporate and the thinner the crust will be on top (so thin it can flake off). I recommend whisking well, but don't try to whip if you want the crust to stick more.
Measure flour accurately. Too much flour leads to a dry brownie so be sure to use a scale or use the spoon and sweep method without packing the flour into the measuring cup.
Sift the flour to remove lumps which helps it incorporate evenly and minimizes how much you will need to mix it in.
Do not use raising agents like baking soda or baking powder. Brownies are meant to be dense and using leavening will create gases that can make the brownie seem dry.
Watch the baking time. In all my experience, most standard 8-inch pan brownie recipes take between 20 and 25 minutes when baked in a metal pan. Start checking after 20 minutes. A skewer should not come out clean. Instead it should come out with a few moist sticky bits attached. If it comes out clean then the brownies may be over baked, and if it comes out with wet batter then they are still a bit raw.
Let brownies cool completely. Although it might be tempting to eat them warm from the oven, brownies reach their maximum fudginess when completely cooled. This is because the cocoa butter in the melted chocolate needs time to recrystallize which gives these brownies that nice fudgy, stick-to-your-teeth texture.
Cool before slicing. If you cut your brownies while still hot, the steam will escape and the sliced brownies will dry out faster than if you let them cool before slicing.

sliced shiny crust fudge brownies with bite

RECIPE FAQ

What type of chocolate should I use for the best fudge brownies?

I use intense 85% chocolate here which makes perfectly chocolaty brownies. You can also use 70% bittersweet chocolate, but do not use unsweetened. If you choose to use semisweet chocolate, just note that they will certainly taste much sweeter.

Can I use unsalted butter to make these brownies?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter. I really love making brownies with salted butter because it adds another level of richness and offsets the sweetness while still maintaining the fudgy texture. I highly encourage you to try this recipe with salted butter!

What makes brownies chewy vs. fudgy?

Brownies can be chewy or fudgy, or a blend of both. Brownies get their chewiness from the right amount of sugar, and a higher ratio of sugar:butter, as well as a higher ratio of chocolate:butter. More butter gives a softer fudgier texture, while more chocolate and more sugar gives a chewier texture thanks to the hard cocoa butter content. Cocoa butter is harder than butter at room temperature so it will give more resistance to the bite, creating the perception of chewiness. More butter will make brownies soft and melting for a fudgier texture.

How to make brownies with a shiny crust on top?

Again, it's about dissolved sugar. Whisk the sugar into the eggs first. This will help it dissolve some, and also the bonds between sugar and egg proteins is what creates the thin tissue like crust. To help this along, always use room temperature (not cold) eggs. The warmer temperature helps sugar dissolve. The longer you whip the eggs with the sugar, the thinner and shinier the crust will be.
TIP: to bring eggs to room temperature quickly, submerge them in warm water for 10 minutes.

Can I use cocoa powder to make fudge brownies?

This recipe requires melted chocolate. Melted chocolate gives a fudgier texture because of the cocoa butter content that has a higher melting point. If you prefer to make brownies with cocoa powder only, then check out my Better Than Box Brownie Mix recipe which have a chewier texture.

Can I add chocolate chips to this brownie recipe?

Yes you can! If you'd like to add chocolate chips, I would recommend ½ cup of dark chocolate chips. Just fold it into the finished batter before baking.

How do I know when my brownies are finished baking?

If your brownies turn out dry, then it is most likely because they are over-baked. These brownies are ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist sticky crumbs attached - not wet batter, and NOT clean. If the skewer is clean then the brownies are over-baked and if the skewer has wet batter then they are still raw.

Why are my brownies dry?

The number one reason why these would turn out dry is if they are over-baked. Check on the brownies at 25 minutes. Also, take care to measure the flour accurately.

How do I store brownies?

Brownies keep really well at room temperature as long as they are stored in an airtight container to prevent drying out. If you plan to keep them for more than a couple of days, then store them in the fridge.

Why did my brownies sink in the middle?

Brownies will sink in the middle if you over-beat the eggs and sugar. When you beat the eggs, you are incorporating a lot of air which will cause the batter to soufflé or puff up in the oven. As the brownies cool, the air bubbles will collapse and they will fall. To prevent this, be sure to only beat the eggs for 1-2 minutes and then bake the brownies evenly. If you think your oven runs hot, then bake at a slightly lower temperature for a longer time. If the oven is too hot, the brownies will puff up and over-cook on the edges while the center is still raw.

How to perfectly slice brownies?

To get neat clean squares when you slice the brownies, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each slice. Read my detailed 5 steps for how to perfectly cut brownies here.

If you love brownies, check out these recipes!

Triple Chocolate Brownies Fudgy Grain Free Brownies Olive Oil Brownies with Date Fudge Frosting Fudgy Buckeye Brownies Outrageous Fudgy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies The BEST Small Batch Fudge Brownies Homemade Cosmic Brownies Recipe!

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