Name: Crackly-Top Fudge Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 brownies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter; 4 ounces premium baking chocolate bar; 0.25 cup sugar; 0.75 cup dark brown sugar; 3 eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 0.25 tsp salt; 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp espresso powder; 0.75 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; flaky sea salt

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Crackly-Top Fudge Brownies

Browndis

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.

Combine the melted butter and chocolate in a large, heatproof bowl. You can microwave them in 20-second bursts, stirring between them, until fully melted and smooth, or you can melt them using a double boiler. Let cool slightly.

Whisk in sugar and brown sugar to the slightly cooked melted butter and chocolate. Add eggs one at a time, mixing vigorously after each to create a shiny, thick batter. It will look like a foamy peanut butter consistency.

Stir in vanilla extract, espresso powder (if using), salt, and cocoa powder. Add flour and mix gently just until combined — don’t overmix.

Fold in chocolate chips. Save some to add to the top before baking.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not raw batter).

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Let brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting and slicing. For clean edges, chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before cutting.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Bloom Your Espresso Powder 🫗
Dissolve espresso powder in hot melted butter before mixing with cocoa to unlock its full flavor-enhancing potential and eliminate any grittiness in the final brownies.
Chop Your Chocolate Unevenly 🍫
Cut the premium baking chocolate bar into varied chunk sizes (some fine, some chunky) to create pockets of fudgy richness and textural interest throughout the brownie.
Don't Overmix After Flour Addition 🥄
Fold flour in gently with just 8-10 strokes after combining wet and dry ingredients—overmixing develops gluten and creates a cakey texture instead of the desired chewy crumb.
Apply Sea Salt Immediately After Baking ⏱️
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on the brownies within 30 seconds of removing from the oven while the surface is still warm—this allows the salt to adhere perfectly and creates that signature crackly top.
Underbake by 1-2 Minutes 🌡️
Pull the brownies from the oven when a toothpick inserted in the center shows just a few moist crumbs (not clean)—they'll continue cooking as they cool, yielding maximum fudginess without dryness.