Double Chocolate Brownie Recipe (+ how to store brownies)

This Double Chocolate Brownie Recipe is your gateway to creating the most irresistibly fudgy brownies, perfect for any gathering. An easy-to-follow guide ensures a delicious treat every time, along with tips on how to extend the shelf life or freeze a huge batch for future indulgence.

When it comes to desserts that tick all the boxes for versatility, ease, and sheer indulgence, this Double Chocolate Brownie Recipe is our absolute go-to. It's the perfect solution for an array of occasions - be it picnics, bake sales, potlucks, school birthdays, or just a special treat to enjoy at home with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. 

What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity. With a focus on quality ingredients and an easy-to-follow process, it guarantees a batch of fudgy brownies every time. It’s a straightforward mix of premium cocoa, the best dark chocolate you can find, and a handful of other ingredients that most kitchens are already stocked with. This simplicity means you're just a few steps away from slicing into a batch of the perfect brownies that everyone will love.

But this recipe post doesn’t stop at just baking; it’s also your ultimate guide to ensuring your homemade brownies stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Whether you’re looking to extend their shelf life for a week’s worth of treats or freeze a huge batch for unexpected guests, we’ve got you covered. Follow along as we dive into the simple pleasures of baking, enjoying, and storing these delightful treats, making sure you get the most out of every batch.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Chef's Tips and Tricks
• How to Cut Brownies Cleanly
• How to Customize This Recipe
• Storage Instructions
• Types of Brownies
• FAQ's
• More Easy Baking Recipes
• Double Chocolate Brownie Recipe (+ how to store brownies)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Decadent Treat: Whether savored as is or elevated to a sumptuous dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, each bite offers a rich, indulgent experience.
• Pantry Staples: The recipe calls for ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen, making it easy to whip up without a special trip to the store.
• No Special Equipment Needed: You don’t need any fancy gadgets or kitchen tools to create these double chocolate brownies, just a simple bowl, spatula, baking pan, and your oven.
• Customizable: This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to add nuts, swirls of caramel, or even a dash of espresso powder to suit your taste.
• Perfect for Almost Any Occasion: From casual get-togethers to more formal gatherings, these brownies fit seamlessly into any event, making them a versatile choice for dessert lovers.

Ingredients

Each ingredient has been chosen to contribute to the overall perfection of these double chocolate brownies, ensuring they're not only delicious but also a testament to the joy of baking from scratch.

• Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Ensures a smooth, rich chocolate flavor that's key to the brownie's decadent taste.
• All-Purpose Flour (Cake Flour): Provides the structure for the brownies, while keeping them tender and light.
• Baking Powder: A little lift to ensure your brownies have the perfect texture.
• Castor Sugar: Fine sugar that dissolves easily for a smooth, sweet batter.
• Pinch of Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture, contributing to the brownies' fudgy texture.
• Butter: Melted and cooled, it adds richness and depth to the flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla complements the chocolate, adding complexity to the brownies’ taste.
• Dark Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Chips: Adds gooey, chocolatey chunks for an extra layer of indulgence.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Combine Wet Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted and cooled butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

• Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Remember, overmixing is the enemy of perfect brownies.

Chef’s Tip: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent the brownies from sinking or developing a tough texture.

Add Chocolate 

• Fold in the chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the batter

Spread Batter in Pan

• Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. The batter will be thick, but that's exactly what you want.

Bake 

• Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 - 45 minutes. You're looking for a fudgy center but cooked through.

Chef’s Tip: Test the doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they're ready. If it's wet with batter, give it a bit more time.

Cooling 

• Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This patience pays off, as it ensures perfect slices.

Cutting the Brownies 

• After the brownies have cooled completely, use the overhangs of parchment paper to lift them out of the brownie pan. Place them on a cutting board and cut into your desired size squares or rectangles. 
• Now, your delicious Double Chocolate Brownies are ready to be served and enjoyed

Chef's Tips and Tricks

By following these tips, you're not just baking; you're mastering the art of making the perfect double chocolate brownies. Each step is designed to ensure your success, right from the ingredients to the final delicious bite.

• Room Temperature Eggs: Using eggs at room temperature helps them mix more thoroughly into the batter, contributing to a smoother texture.
• Melting the Butter: Melt the butter either in the microwave or on the stove, but ensure you let it cool slightly before adding it to the eggs. Hot butter can cook or curdle the eggs, affecting the texture of your brownies.
• Avoid Overmixing: To keep your brownies from sinking or developing a tough texture, mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can compromise the fudgy texture we all love.
• Testing for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check if your brownies are ready. A few moist crumbs mean perfection; wet batter means they need more time.
• Cooling Before Cutting: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This patience ensures clean cuts and preserves the brownies’ texture

How to Cut Brownies Cleanly

Following these steps will help you achieve that professional, clean cut look for your double chocolate brownies, making them not only delicious but also beautifully presented.

• Cool Brownies Completely: For the cleanest cut, ensure your brownies have cooled completely. Cutting while still warm can lead to crumbs and an uneven edge.
• Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp, thin knife will give you the best results. A dull knife can drag through the brownies, causing them to tear.
• Clean Between Cuts: After each cut, wipe your knife clean. This removes any brownie buildup and ensures each piece has a smooth edge.
• Refrigerate for Firmer Texture: If you prefer an even cleaner cut, refrigerate the brownies for about 30 minutes before cutting. This firms them up and makes slicing easier.

How to Customize This Recipe

Exploring these variations not only personalizes your brownies but also invites creativity into your baking. Whether it's through toppings or optional add-ins, each adjustment opens up new possibilities for flavor and presentation.

• Choose Your Chocolate: Swap in your favorite type of chocolate—white, milk, or a different kind of dark chocolate—to tailor the flavor to your liking.
• Add Nuts: Enhance the texture and taste by folding chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter.
• Incorporate Fruit: Mix in orange zest, fresh or dried raspberries for a delightful burst of tartness amidst the rich chocolate.
• Swirl in Peanut Butter (or caramel): Add a creamy, nutty dimension by swirling peanut butter through the batter before baking.
• Espresso Powder: A teaspoon of instant espresso powder can deepen the chocolate flavor, adding a sophisticated twist to your brownies.
• Melted Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle melted chocolate over the cut brownies.

Storage Instructions

Ensuring your brownies stay fresh and delicious involves proper storage techniques. Here's how to keep both homemade and store-bought brownies at their best:

Room Temperature

• Store leftover brownies in a cool place away from direct sunlight for 2-3 days. Use an airtight container to maintain freshness. Remember, store-bought brownies might last longer due to additives; always check the expiration date for guidance.

Chef's tip: For the longest shelf life, treat store-bought brownies like homemade ones, prioritizing freshness.

Fridge

• Brownies can last 5-7 days when refrigerated. This is especially important for brownies with perishable toppings or mix-ins, such as cream cheese. Keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing fridge odors.

Before serving, allow brownies to return to room temperature to ensure the best flavor and texture.

Freezer

• Properly stored, brownies can last up to 3 months in the freezer. This method is ideal for extending the life of your treats.

• Individual Brownies: Wrap each brownie tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a Ziplock freezer bag or an airtight container. Ensure they're labeled with the date to keep track of freshness.
• A Slab of Brownies: First, cool the brownies completely. Wrap the entire slab in a layer of parchment paper, followed by a double layer of foil to protect against freezer burn. Store in a Ziplock freezer bag, labeled and dated.
• Freezing Frosted Brownies: It's best to freeze brownies without frosting. Apply the frosting after the brownies have been defrosted and are ready to serve.

Defrosting Brownies

• Individual Brownies: Allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or defrost in the microwave on low power in 15-second increments.
• Whole Slab of Brownies: Defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Using airtight containers, plastic wrap, and proper labeling are the most important factors in extending the shelf life of your brownies. Whether using a glass jar, plastic containers, cookie tins, or a Ziploc bag, the right storage method ensures your brownies remain as delicious as the day they were made.

Types of Brownies

Just for interest sake, brownies come in a variety of textures, each offering a unique taste experience. Here's a quick guide to the three typical textures you might encounter:

• Fudgy Brownies: For those who love their brownies gooey and ultra-moist, fudgy brownies are the go-to. Dense and packed with moisture, they deliver a rich, intense chocolate experience that's hard to resist. In our opinion the perfect brownie!
• Cakey Brownies: These brownies are characterized by their airy, light, and cake-like texture. They are moist and fluffy inside, offering a lighter alternative for those who enjoy the flavor of brownies but prefer the consistency of cake.
• Chewy Brownies: Balancing between cakey and fudgy, chewy brownies offer a chewy edge with a moist, firm, and slightly gooey interior. They have a deep chocolate flavor but are not as dense as fudgy brownies, providing a satisfying texture that appeals to a wide range of brownie lovers.

FAQ's

More Easy Baking Recipes

Our journey through the art of baking a fresh batch of fudgy double chocolate brownies ends here, but yours is just beginning. Armed with tips and tricks for perfect results every time, you're ready to bake, share, and enjoy. Dive in, experiment, and let the sweet adventure unfold. Happy baking!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.