The Best Ever Fudgy Brown Butter Brownies Recipe

Leveled up Brown Butter Brownies pair the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter with my favorite foolproof fudgy brownie recipe! Browning the butter takes less than 10 minutes and then the rest of the brownie batter comes together quickly. This will quickly become your new favorite brownie recipe!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
An overhead shop of brownies with sea salt flakes over the tops.

Everything that browned butter touches is pretty magical, but these Brown Butter Brownies are SPECTACULAR. I’m talking beyond, toe-curling magical.

They have so much flavor. I was worried that the chocolate would overpower the brown butter (and make the effort worthless) and WOW, was I surprised.

These fudgy brownies are perfectly chewy, perfectly fudgy and just honestly, my new ultimate brownies!!

If you’re interest in more brownie recipes, I have some in my cookbook, The Cookie Book, and also here on my website! 

You can see all of the Brownie & Bar Cookie Recipes or here are some of my favorites: Foolproof Fudgy BrowniesUltimate Skillet Brookies (brownies + chocolate chip cookie’s baby), Chewy S’mores Cookie BarsBrown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie BarsChocolate Hazelnut Brownies and White Chocolate Fudge Brownies.

Let’s make some mega delicious brownies!

A piece of brownie with a bite out of it on a plate.

Why You Should Bake 
The Best Brownies STAT!

  • They have the ultimate brownie texture: fudgy, chewy perfection
  • The brownies have perfect crackly tops that we covet
  • These brownies are shockingly easy to make
  • This brownie uses two kinds of chocolate (cocoa powder and chopped chocolate) for rich chocolate brownie flavor 
  • The biggest hardship is waiting for the brownies to cool completely before cutting

What Does Brown Butter do to Brownies?

Baking with brown butter infuses baked goods with that rich, nutty, delicious browned butter flavor that I love so much. And these brownies are no different!

The brown butter really emphasizes the rich chocolate, slightly caramel, flavors of the brownies…drawing out the flavors of the brown sugar.

It gives these homemade brownies a depth of flavor that can’t be beat.

Also, baking with melted butter vs solid butter, skews your baked goods towards dense and fudgy and away from cakey, definitely something I want in a brownie. 💞

If you need a refresher, I have lots of brown butter tips in my How to Make Brown Butter Tutorial!

Brownie pieces fitting together like a puzzle with sea salt flakes over the tops.

The Baker’s Guide to Measuring Flour

One of the biggest (and most common) mistakes in baking is how we measure flour. If you find yourself without a scale, see my top tips on how to properly measure flour for the perfect amount every time!

Three brownie slices stacked.

The Best Chocolate for Making Brownies

Dark Chocolate

Use a nice dark chocolate that’s made for melting. Chocolate chips will work in a pinch but they resist melting because of their ingredients (they’re meant to hold their shape!). If you have options, pick bars of chocolate, callets or discs as they’ll melt the easiest.

I’m loving these baking chips and these are my most favorite Callebaut callets; I used the Callebaut when testing this recipe (delicious chocolate, melts beautifully — LOVE). 

Whatever chocolate you use, make sure it’s good quality and can handle melting.

In a pinch, semi-sweet chocolate chips (that most of us have in our cupboards) will work.

Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder

Double chocolate (both chips and unsweetened cocoa powder) mean these brownies have mega flavor. love this Hershey’s Dark as it’s easy to find and yields beautiful flavor + color; you can however use any unsweetened cocoa powder you have on hand. 

When recipe testing this crinkly brownie recipe I used this King Arthur Flour unsweetened cocoa powder which is a gorgeous color and flavor (and definitely a splurge!).

Cut pieces of brownies on a white surface.

Step-by-Step Instructions (with photos!) to Make 
Perfect Brown Butter Brownies

Below are step-by-step photos (with captions) to make THE BEST Brown Butter Brownies perfect every time! My biggest tips are:

  • Make Sure Your Browned Butter is Quite Warm, But Not Scalding. You want it warm enough to melt the chocolate, but not so hot that it will burn the chocolate (or make it seize). Stir frequently once you add the chopped chocolate.
  • Use the Best Quality Chocolate You Can Get. As noted in the The Best Chocolate for Making Brownies section above, I prefer Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder. I think you can’t go wrong with Hershey’s Special Dark (available widely in the US). For the melting chocolate, you’ll get the best results with chocolate that’s meant for melting, such as chocolate bars, feves or callets.
  • Really Whip the Eggs and Sugar. You want them to increase in volume and lighten in color. This will give you that beautiful shiny, flaky top.
  • Bake the Brownies as Soon as the Batter is Mixed. That will give you the prettiest brownies; this brownie batter does not need to rest.
  • For More Brownie Tips, Check out My Classic Foolproof Fudgy Brownie Recipe!

Let’s make some insanely delicious Brown Butter Brownies!

Brown butter and cocoa powder mixed together.
STEP TWO: Combine the cocoa powder with the hot brown butter in a large bowl, stirring to combine.
Chocolate chips poured into browned butter and cocoa powder, before mixing.
STEP THREE: Add the chocolate, stirring until melted. Set aside, stirring periodically.
Melted chocolate in a glass bowl.
STEP THREE: It should look smooth and glossy like this!
A mixer whipping up eggs and sugar.
STEP FOUR: While the chocolate sits, whip up the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt until it has increase in volume and lighted in color.
STEP FIVE: Pour the whipped eggs into the melted chocolate, stirring to combine.
Whipped eggs and sugar poured into melted chocolate.
STEP FIVE: It will look like this!
Flour being mixed into brownie batter.
STEP SIX: Add in the flour…
Mixed brownie batter in a glass bowl.
STEP SIX: …and stir until thoroughly blended.
Just-poured into the pan brownie batter.
STEP SEVEN: Pour into the prepared pan…
Brownie batter in a pan.
STEP SEVEN: …and smooth the top and bake in the oven for 25 to 27 minutes or until puffed in the middle and set around the edges.
A pan filled with just-baked brownies.
STEP SEVEN: They will look like this fresh-from-the-oven!
Fresh from the oven brownies.
STEP EIGHT: After cooling in the pan for several hours, use the parchment overhand to remove them from the pan and finish cooling on a cooling rack.
Brownies cut into 12 giant brownie slices.
STEP NINE: Cut your brownies! This is when you’ll really see that crinkly top. See tips below recipe card, in the Notes section, for tips on how to perfectly cut brownies. Enjoy!
Close up of the top of a brownie.

Best Baking Tools for
The Ultimate Brownies

9×9-inch (23×23-cm) pan for thicker, fudgier brownies

9×13-inch (23×33-cm) pan for chewier brownies around the edges of the pan and more fudge-like ones in the center

Electric Stand Mixer (I prefer the Artisan to the Professional)

Breville Handheld Mixer, this one has a bunch of speeds, dough hooks, whisks. I was never a fan of handhelds until I got this one!

Whisk, I love this whisk so much! The angles at the base really help you get into the corners when whisking

Bowls, these bowls are awesome for mixing, setting atop simmering water when melting chocolate and for weighing out ingredients before starting (if you’re so inclined!)

Spatula, in the video I use the confetti spatula from this set — it’s too cute!

Knife, love this chef’s knife with the white handle…you can also see it in the brownie video

A brownie slice on a plate on a white surface.

For more brownie bar cookies: Classic Foolproof Fudgy Brownies, Peppermint Brownies and these Hazelnut Brownies.

For brownie-like cookies: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Crinkly, Fudge Brownie Cookies and Brownie Cookies with Peanut Butter Frosting (YUM).

More brown butter desserts: Banana Skillet Cake, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

Click here to see all of the brownie + bar cookies recipes on DisplacedHousewife!

Enjoy this delicious brownie recipe!

Rebecca Firth

A quick note on fudgy brownie safety! Most people desire a fudge-like consistency with their brownies. To ensure their safety, make sure they’re baked to at least 160°F (71°C) when tested with an instant-read thermometer. Enjoy your fudgy brownies!

The Best Ever Fudgy Brown Butter Brownies Recipe

Leveled up Brown Butter Brownies pair the rich, nutty flavor of browned butter with my favorite foolproof fudgy brownie recipe! Browning the butter takes less than 10 minutes and then the rest of the brownie batter comes together quickly. This will quickly become your new favorite brownie recipe!
5 from 8 reviews
Print Save Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Cookies, Bar Cookies
Keyword: Brownies, Brown Butter, Bar Cookies, Dessert, Chocolate, Fudge, Baking, Recipe
Servings: 20 Brownies

Ingredients

  • 173 grams unsalted brown butter (about 15 tablespoons (210 g) unsalted butter before browning)
  • 1 cup (85 g) unsweetened dark (Dutch process) cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups (255 g) dark chocolate (finely chopped)
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons (19 g) real vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup (135 g) all-purpose flour (how to measure flour)
  • 2 teaspoons (10 g) sea salt flakes (optional)

Instructions

For the Brown Butter

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 9 x 13–inch (23 x 33–cm) baking dish and line with parchment paper, letting the excess fall over the sides. (see note below regarding pan size)
  • Place 15 tablespoons (210 g) butter in a small sauce pan and melt over medium heat. Once melted, crank up the heat to medium high. Stand by, continuously stirring and watching. Small golden bits will start to settle on the bottom of the pan. Once this happens, take it off the heat and pour into a medium, heat-safe bowl (be sure to scrape all of the brown bits too!).
    (For more details on browning butter, check out my How to Perfectly Brown Butter tutorial)

For the Brownie

  • In a large mixing bowl (that's heat safe) add the cocoa powder and pour the hot browned butter over the top, whisking to thoroughly combined. Add the chopped chocolate, stirring to combine. Set aside, stirring frequently until smooth and all of the chocolate is melted.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt and whisk on medium-high for about 5 to 7 minutes or until thick and light in color. Add in the melted chocolate-butter mixture and run the mixer for 30 seconds on low to combine. Take the bowl out of the mixer and use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour until just combined (make sure there aren't any flour pockets). Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake on the middle of the preheated oven for 25 to 27 minutes. When done, the tops will be shiny and if you test with a toothpick moist crumbs will cling to it. Note: the crinkly top won't show up until you pull them out of the pan and cut them. Let them cool in the pan for several hours and if you want super, uber fudgy brownies shove them in the fridge for several hours when cooling. Sprinkle with the sea salt flakes, if using.
  • When it’s time to cut the brownies, use a very sharp knife and use a wet paper towel to clean off the knife in between cuts. Enjoy!

Notes

To Whip Up the Eggs & Sugar

For best results, use either a stand mixer or a hand mixer to really whip up the eggs and sugar mixture.

How to Cut Brownies

The first rule for cutting perfect brownies is the hardest: let the brownies cool completely!
If you want super clean cuts, chill your brownies for several hours before cutting them.
Lastly, use a very sharp knife and clean + dry the knife in between cuts.
I tend to be impatient so my brownies are never perfectly cut, such is life.
NOTE: I cut the brownies into 12 brownies for the photos (which is quite large); but you can cut them into up to 20 brownies if you need to serve more people. 

Storing Homemade Brownies

Brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for several days.

Brownie Pan Sizes

For this homemade brownie recipe, you can also use a 9×9 (23×23-cm) square baking pan. Bake the brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes (depending on how fudgy you want your brownies to be).
I did find in testing this recipe that the larger 9×13 (23×33-cm) yielded brownies that had a bit more crinkle.

To Serve

These brownies are unreal on their own with a glass of cold milk or, turned into more of a dessert with vanilla ice cream and drizzled in brown sugar caramel

For More Brownie Tips, Check Out:

My Foolproof Fudgy Brownie Recipe (this is the best brownie recipe for classic brownies).

For More Brown Butter Tips:

Check out my How to Brown Butter Tutorial.
Enjoy your brown butter brownie recipe!
Thanks for baking with me! Please rate + comment this recipe and tag me on social @displacedhousewife #displacedhousewife so I can see your beautiful treats! xo

Comments

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

I love your comments, reviews and questions! If you love this recipe, please rate it when you leave a comment. Star ratings 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 help people discover my recipes. Your support means a lot, I look forward to chatting with you!

Rebecca xox

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  • Michelle March 23, 2024 at 8:15 PM

    5 stars
    Wow. Wow. Wow. These are SO fudgy, chewy good and the aroma of the brown butter mixed with chocolate sends this recipe over the top. These brownies are heaven in a pan! Thank you Rebecca! @michelleboatbaker

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth March 23, 2024 at 8:41 PM

      These brownies are so damn good I want everyone to try them!!! ;)

      So glad you made them!! xox

      Reply
    • Rebecca Firth March 23, 2024 at 9:40 PM

      PS loved seeing your brownies on Insta, they looked incredible!! xox

      Reply
      • Michellel March 24, 2024 at 7:39 PM

        5 stars
        Thank you Rebecca! I am honoured. xox

        Reply
  • Sara G March 17, 2024 at 3:43 PM

    5 stars
    Wow!!! Made these last night and that fudgy flavor and chewiness was unbelievable. These are my new favorite brownies c

    Reply
    • Rebecca Firth March 17, 2024 at 3:47 PM

      I’m so glad you like them! Enjoy your brownies! xo

      Reply