Brown Butter Brownies
These brown butter brownies take rich, fudgy brownies to the next level. Brown butter makes these brownies extra moist and adds a nutty note to their flavor. Oh, and they're also packed with pecans for more classic flavor and texture.
Everyone loves a dense, moist, fudgy brownie. I've been chasing that elusive perfect texture for years, and I finally found it with brown butter. Brownies with brown butter have an extra moist texture, and the butter itself adds a nutty note to the brownies that really makes them pop.
Why You'll Love These Brown Butter Brownies
- They only take a few simple baking ingredients to make.
- They're quick and easy.
- They're extra rich and fudgy.
- They're full of deep, rich chocolate flavor and the crunch of chopped pecans.
Top Tip
Your brown butter is done when it's an amber color. It shouldn't be dark brown.
Ingredients
It only takes a handful of basic baking ingredients to make this recipe. You probably have them all in your kitchen right now. Everything is listed here, but you'll find the exact ingredients in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Butter
- Cocoa powder
- Vanilla
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- OPTIONAL: Chopped pecans
How to Make Brownies with Brown Butter
This recipe isn't much different than regular brownies. There's just one extra step, and it's easy!
The highlights are listed here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
1: Cook the butter on low heat until it becomes an amber color.
2: Add cocoa powder and vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
3: Beat the sugar and eggs, then combine them with the cocoa mixture.
4: Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Then, add the pecans.
5: Pour the batter into a prepared pan, sprinkle with chopped pecans, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use Dutch process cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Chopped walnuts, almonds, or any of your other favorite nuts will work well in this recipe.
- Add baking chips like chocolate, white chocolate, or any of your other favorites to change up these brownies.
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Small saucepan
- Spatula
- 8x8 baking dish
Storage
Wrap the brownies individually in plastic wrap and store them in an air-tight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. You can wrap and refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the wrapped brownies in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
To defrost the brownies, simply place them on the counter.
What to Serve with Brownies
Brownies are always great with an ice-cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. The rich chocolate flavor also pairs well with all kinds of sweet flavors, from chocolaty to fruity.
Tips for the Best Brownies
- Stop cooking the butter when it becomes an amber color, and there are solids floating in it. DO NOT overcook the butter.
- Mix the batter until combined and no further. Overmixing makes tough brownies.
- Fold chopped nuts into brownie batter rather than stirring. This both distributes the nuts more evenly and prevents overmixing.
FAQ
Brown butter is butter that's been cooked past its melting point to toast the milk solids and remove excess water. The result is a deep amber-colored melted butter.
Brown butter has a rich, deep, buttery flavor with nutty or toasted notes. Some people describe it as a toffee-like flavor.
Brown butter is done when it's a deep amber color with a nutty aroma, and browned milk solids are visible in the bottom of the pan.
More Delicious Desserts
Brown Butter Brownies
Brown butter brownies are rich, dense, and fudgy. Brown butter makes them incredibly moist and adds a toasted note to the flavor profile.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- OPTIONAL: ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Prepare an 8x8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Place butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir with a silicone spatula often. Bubbles will begin to form and slowly get smaller. The butter will also take on a darker color and you will see small floating brown bits. This will take a total of 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add cocoa powder and vanilla to browned butter. Whisk until smooth.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat brown sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy.
- Pour butter mixture into egg mixture and beat well.
- Add flour and salt and beat again until smooth.
- OPTIONAL: Stir in pecans. Reserve some to sprinkle on top.
- Transfer batter to your prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining pecans on top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Nutrition Information
Yield
9Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 394Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 103mgSodium 285mgCarbohydrates 46gFiber 2gSugar 35gProtein 5g
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